Thermotherapy Flashcards
What are the 4 mechanism of heat transfer?
Conduction, convection, radiation, conversion
What does conduction imply at what is used in this method?
Direct contact with skin. Hydrocallator packs, paraphin bath
What does convection imply, and what used in this method?
Air or water particles move across the body causing heating or cooling. Whirlpool, fluidotherapy
What does radiation imply, and what is used in this method?
Transfer of heat from a warmer surface to a cooler surface through air. Infrared lamps
What does conversion imply and what is used in this method?
Heat generated from another energy form. Ultrasound, diathermy.
What kinds of pain relief can come form thermotherapy?
Pain gating, counterirritation
What kind of positive neuronal activity can be observed with thermotherapy?
Decreased gamma motor neuron activity
What effect does thermotherapy have on mobility.
Increases mobility, decreases joint viscosity and decreased viscoelasticity of muscle, tendon and ligaments.
How is thermotherapy been compared to drugs as far as analgesic effects?
May be better than ibuprofen at creating an analgesic effect.
What kind of thermotherapy is good for low back pain?
Long duration low level heat
Various studies have shown that thermotherapy effects physical properties of muscles in what way?
Increased muscle length.
What are the primary indications of thermotherapy?
Decrease pain
Rheumatoid arthritis
Decreased muscle spasm
Osteoarthritis
When is the contrast bath used and why?
In the subacute phase. Used to transition from cold to nmodalities.
Is the contrast bath good for swelling?
No
What kind of analgesic effects can the contrast bath have?
Sharp sensory change tends to cause a decrease in pain and break the pain spasm cycle.
When should you end your treatment with cold modalities?
When you want vasoconstriction.
When should you end your treatment with warm modalities?
When you want vasodilation
What is cryokinetics?
Combination of cold and exercise
What does CIVD stand for
Cold induced vasodilation
What is CIVD?
AKA Huntington response. Increase in tissue temp during cold therapy
What are the goals of cryotherapy?
Decrease/relieve pain
Decrease blood flow/metabolism
Protect injured tissue
Decrease muscle spasm
T/F
You should freeze and reuse a chemical ice pack?
Never
What are the advantages of cold whirlpool
can envelope entire joint. Can perform active exercises while cooling tissue. Whirlpool prevents thermopane (warm layer around foot), but causing turbulence in the water.
What are the disadvantages of whirlpool
Part cannot be elevated. Not ideal for acute situation.
Is ice massage good for an acute injury?
No because compression is needed
Where should ice massage be applied
Superficial tissue and bony prominences
What kind of cold therapy can you use compression with?
Controlled continuous cold unit.
What is vapocoolant spray good for treating
Trigger points. Cutaneous numbing of pain. Does not cause temperature change below the epidermis.
Decreased ROM
Muscle spasm
What are the indications for cooling and rewarming therapy?
Acute injury
Pain (decrease nerve conduction velocity)
Spasm
Chronic and inflammatory arthritis
