Thermotherapy Flashcards
What are the 4 most common methods of thermotherapy
Hotpacks
paraffin baths
heating pads
fluidotherapy
What is the beneficial temperature range
104-113
What are the 3 methods of heat exchange
conduction
convection
radiation
What is conduction
exchange of energy b/t 2 materials that have 2 different temps
Ways to utilize conduction
hot packs
paraffin baths
heating pads
chemical heat wraps
What is the idea behind conduction
area of high temp touches and area of low temp and the low temp will rise to the high temp
What is convection
conveyance of heat by movt of heated particles over an extremity
Examples of convection
fluidotherapy
whirlpools
Example of radiation
infrared lamp
How to increase or decrease coupling media
add or subtract toweling
What does increasing contact of the media do
increase conductivity
What are factors that affect physiological response
Intensity-rate temp is applied to tissue
duration of tissue temp elevation
area or volume of tissue exposed
What are the primary effects of superficial heat
analgesic
vascular
metabolic
extensibility
What biophysiological responses are increased in superficial heat
blood flow
cell metabolism
o2 consumption
mm contraction velocity
What biophsiological responses are decreased in superficial heat
Fluid viscosity
pain
mm spasm
What changes happen in regards to metabolic
increases o2 and removal of metabolites
What to eval bf using superficial heat
past/current med hx
pregnancy
skin condition-color, temp, sensitivity, dryness, integrity
current meds and allergies
Why to use superficial heat
stiff joints subcuaneous adhesions-scars contractures chronic arthritis subacute and chronic inflammation cumulative trauma trauma wounds neuromas muscles spasms symathetic ns disorders
Precautions when using superficial heat
increased edema
diminished sensation
compromised circulation
cog ability (to id reactions and discontinue tx)
How should you always heat
in elevation
Contraindications to superficial heat
pregnancy impaired sensation poor thermal reg. tumor/cancer acute inflammation/edema deep vein thrombophletis infection primary repair of tendon/lig advanced cardiac disease impaired mental status RA
Why is superficial heat a contraindication w/ tumors/cancer
can increase the size of the tumor
Why is whirlpool good
water bouyancy
active mvt during t
what can whirlpool be used for
wound debridement
downfall of whirlpool
dependent position/limb dependency
time consuming to set up
expensive equip
possibility of infection if not properly set up
antimicrobial agent- fights germs that are healing
What is fluidotherapy
dry heat
fine particles suspended in hot air
Where is fluidotherapy usually done
distal ext.
UE
What is fluidotherapy used for
desensitization
AROM PROM
Disadvantage o fluidotherapy
hand in dependent position-usually below heart
messy
What can you not have in fluidotherapy
open wounds
What are hot packs
silica gel materai in a canvas pouch
What do you keep the hydroculator a for hot packs
165-175
What is needed for hot packs
6 layers of towels
How long do hot packs need to reheat before using
30 min
What is a contrast bath
alternating bt warm and cool water creating a pumping like action
Effects of contrasts baths
Decreases edema
increases peripheral blood flow
decreases pain
decreases stiffness
What temp do you want the water for contrast baths
100-110
50-70
process of a contrast bath
warm water for 10 min cool for 1 min warm for 4 min cool for 1 min repeat 4:1 two times
What does a warm water soak do
decreases subacute and chronic edema
What temp should you have for a warm water soak
99-110
what to do during a warm water soak
mild or mod dose of heat
circumferential heat to fingers
15-20 min soak
What is a paraffin bath used for
Arthritis
systemic sclerosis
What do paraffin baths do
decrease stiffness
improve ROM
decrease pain
Temp for paraffin bath
118-135
What is in a paraffin bath
paraffin
mineral oil
4 types of paraffin bath techniques
immersion
dip immersion
brush
pouring
Which dip is the deepest in paraffin bath
initial
What to avoid in paraffin baths
moving hands to prevent cracks (creates hot spots)
What to consider for home programs
make sure pt has cog to follow precautions
an use warm bath, low temp heat pad, hot water bottle, rice/flax packs
What is thermotherapy
superficial thermal agents transfer energy either to or from body tissues that is located superficially
