Modalities Ch. 10 Flashcards
what is heat?
form of energy produced by the movement of molecules
everything with a temperature above absolute zero (-273 C) possesses heat
temperature
an object’s ability to spontaneously give up energy
molecular motion
effects of heat
increased -relaxation -circulation -tissue healing -metabolism -inflammation decreased -pain -muscle spasm -tissue stiffness
metabolic effects
chemical activity increases as temperature increases
oxygen uptake
nutrient availability
vascular effects
varies b/n tissue types
skin blood flow
role in nutrition and maintenance of core body temperature vasodilation occurs due to -axon reflex -release of chemical mediators -local spinal cord reflexes
skeletal muscle flow
blood flow increase due to metabolic regulation
greatest changes with levels of exercise
minimal changes with superficial heating modalities
exercise >superficial heat
SH + ex > SH or EX
neuromuscular effects
analgesia reduced muscle spasm not entirely understood theory -pain threshold -nerve conduction velocity -muscle spindle firing rates
thermal gate theory
thermoreceptors > nociceptive afferents
connective tissue effects
will shorten following injury effects of heat -increased elasticity -decreased viscosity -decreased joint stiffness -increased muscle flexibility
plastic elongation
result of heat and stretch
must consider
-temperature elevation
-stretch
general contraindications
no heat within the first 48-72 hours of an injury
no heat on areas of compromised circulation
no heat on areas of compromised sensation
malignancy
infection
superficial vs. deep
superficial -TTR in surface tissues -<1 cm depth -hot packs, whirlpool, paraffin -conduction and infrared radiation deep -TTR in deeper tissue -3-4 cm -diathermy and ultrasound -conversion and radiation
4 types of heat transfer
conduction -direct contact convection -air and water radiation -light rays, waves
conduction modalities
ice pack
hot pack
whirlpool
slush bucket
convection modality
whirlpool
radiation examples
-modalities
sun modalities -diathermy -laser -heat lamp
conversion
energy other than heat is converted to heat must occur to heat deep tissues modalities -diathermy -ultrasound
heat sinks
areas of the body that can accept and dissipate great amounts of heat
-lungs (respiration)
-skin (perspiration)
carried by circulation
prevents local tissues damage
heat sinks must dissipate heat from a modality as quickly as it is added
post-immobilization and heat
increase circulation/healing
decrease stiffness
