Thermotherapy Flashcards
what is thermotherapy used for?
-Control pain
-increase tissue extensibility
-Increase circulation
what are the local effects of thermotherapy?
Superficial heat stimulation of cutaneous thermoreceptors → release of bradykinin & NO → smooth muscle relaxation → vasodilation
what are the global effects of thermotherapy?
Cutaneous thermoreceptors also project to the DRG, where they synapse w/ sympathetic neurons in lateral grey horn of the spinal cord, inhibiting firing & decreasing sympathetic output → Smooth muscle Relaxation
what conditions would benefit from distal, blood flow?
Peripheral Artery Disease
Ulcer
what does applying heat do to nerve conduction speed?
Applying heat causes an increase in speed
how does the change in firing speed occur when heat is applied?
Lessens the stimulus threshold of muscle spindles & decreasing gamma efferent firing rate
how does applying heat increase a patient’s pain threshold?
Increased activity of superficial thermoreceptors causing a gating effect at spinal cord level & increase in blood flow
what does heat do to muscle strength?
Decrease in muscle strength for 30 min after applying heat
Don’t apply heat before a treatment if looking to test strength
what does applying heat do to the metabolic system?
increase in tissue temp shifts oxygen hemoglobin dissociation curve to right making more oxygen available for tissue repair
why does heat only work on superficial muscle/tendon?
heat goes 6cm
how can superficial heat aid in pain control?
- Gating of pain through cutaneous thermoreceptors
- Increase in blood flow via vasodilation
- Heat modalities are relaxing & pain can be influenced by stress
how does superficial heat help to increase ROM?
- Increase soft tissue temp which increase tissue extensibility
- Best when tissue is maintained at 40-45°C w/ low load prolonged stretch is applied during the heat period & while the tissue is cooling
how does superficial heat help to decrease joint stiffness?
Increased tissue extensibility & viscoelasticity of capsule & ligamentous tissue
how does superficial heat accelerate healing?
- Increase in circulation & increased oxygen availability to tissues
- Most beneficial during proliferation stage
what are the 4 contraindications for thermotherapy?
-Recent or potential hemorrhage
- Thrombophlebitis / DVT/ Blood clot
- Impaired sensation/mentation
- Malignant tissue/cancer
what are some conditions that may caution you before thermotherapy?
-Acute injury or inflammation
-pregnacy
-Impaired circulation or poor thermoregulation
-edema
-cardiac insufficiency
-metal in treatment area
-over open wound or where topical meds been applied
-demyelinanted nerves
what are some adverse reactions to thermotherapy?
-Burns
-Fainting
-Bleeding
what are the advantages of a moist hot pack?
Easy
Cheap
Low level of skill
Cover large area
Can use at home
what are some disadvantages of a moist hot pack?
Must remove to observe area
Hot packs can be heavy
Not good for small or hard contact area
why may one elect to use a paraffin bath?
Good for heating distal extremities b/c it can maintain good contact w/ irregularly contoured area
what are advantages of a paraffin bath?
Good contact w/ contoured area
Easy to use
what are some disadvantages of paraffin bath?
Messy & time consuming
Risk of cross contamination
how many layers should a hot pack be wrapped in?
Wrap hot pack in 6-8 layers of dry towels
Hot pack covers = 3 layers
Towel if doubled = 2 layers
Single towel on bottom
how long after a hot pack is applied should you check the skin?
5 min
what are the parameters for a hot pack?
15-30min
what are the parameters for paraffin?
15-20min
