Properties of Water Flashcards
What are the three general effects of water on the Body?
Thermal- physiologically the most potent
Mechancal- from the movement of water
Chemical - cleansing effect, therapeutic additives may intensify the effect
General Effects of water on the Body:
heat energy is absorbed or dissipated into, or away from, the tissues to which the water is applied. Physiologically, the effect is considered the most potent general therapeutic property of water.
Thermal
It results from the movement of water and becomes apparent in pressurized streams, douches or friction. The reflex effect tones the body.
Mechanical effects
What are the therapeutic properties of water?
Heat Capacity
Thermal Capacity (Conductivity)
Viscosity
Buoyancy
Hydrostatic Pressure
Solubility
Cleansing Action
Electroconductivity
Stability
___________ : excellent capacity to store thermal energy. Water is a vehicle for administering heat energy or removing excess heat from the body
Heat Capacity
____________ : water is a good conductor, therefore, it can easily give the stored thermal energy, to the tissues. Its fluid nature provides full contact
Thermal Capacity (Conductivity)
__________: the physical property to resist flow or motion. This provides resistance, useful for remedial movement therapy
Viscosity
__________ : the tendency of the body to float in water. This is due to ‘adipose’ tissue (lighter than water) in the body. Allows early movement therapy, particularly with injuries to weight-bearing structures
Buoyancy
_____________ : the pressure of the water “squeezes” the body’s appendages and increases blood flow from the periphery, toward the core
Hydrostatic Pressure
__________ : Many therapeutic substances dissolve readily in water making it an excellent carrier for salts, essential oils, sulphur and herbs
Solubility
___________ : Flushes away dirt, debris, sweat, oil and morbid materials from the skin
Cleansing Action
_____________ : Carry electrical energy to the body
Electroconductivity
__________ : Due to its predictable and stable qualities, water is used as the standard with which most other materials are compared and scales are set
Stability
___________ : Fresh water is abundant and inexpensive in North America
Availability
