Thermotherapy

Question 1

What are the hot pack application parameters?

Answer 1

165-170ºF (74-77ºC)
• 6-8 layer thick terry cloth towels (commercial cover = 4)
• Inspect area in 4-5 mins
• Time: 20-30 mins

Question 2

Home heat wraps are applied for how how long and will give relief for how long?

Answer 2

Stays warm for 8 hours: Relief last 16-24 hours

Question 3

What are the contraindications for thermotherapy?

Answer 3

• Do not wear more than 8 hours/day or 7 days in a row
to prevent irritation
• Do not use with medicated lotions, creams, ointments, or on
broken or damaged skin
• Do not use during acute phase of injury
• Do not use over areas of reduced heat sensation
• Do not use on patients who are unable to remove the wrap
• Do not use on infants or children under age 12

Question 4

What are the precautions for thermotherapy?

Answer 4

• Caution for patients with: diabetes, poor circulation,

rheumatoid arthritis or are pregnant

Question 5

What do Home Patches (Plasters) use as active ingredients?

Answer 5

• Most use camphor and menthol active ingredients
• Some contain combinations of herbs and oils, such as
cayenne, wintergreen, arnica, synthetic musk or ginseng
• Camphor and Menthol decrease the response of sensory
receptors in the skin to painful stimuli
• Cayenne pepper is commonly used: contains capsicum
which relieves pain: mechanism unknown

Question 6

What are the electrical heating pad application parameters?

Answer 6

• Moist vs. dry
• Temperature setting: no greater than medium
• Do not fall asleep on pad: give written/verbal instructions
• Time: 15-30 mins

Question 7

What are the paraffin bath application parameters?

Answer 7

124-129ºF (51-54ºC)

• 6-8 parts wax: 1 part mineral oil

Question 8

What are the contraindications for paraffin bath application?

Answer 8

• Open wounds
• Infections
• New burns
• Skin conditions / contagious lesions (acute dermatitis)

Question 9

What are the indications for paraffin bath application?

Answer 9

• Non-acute rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• Rayunaud’s phenomenon

Question 10

What is the continuous immersion method of paraffin application?

Answer 10

• Greatest in sub-Q and muscle temperature
• Inspect and wash part and remove jewelry
• Dip 6-8 times then place hand in bath
• Time: 30 mins

Question 11

What is the dip immersion with wrapping method of paraffin application?

Answer 11

• Only minor temperature changes in sub-Q and muscle
• Inspect and wash part and remove jewelry
• Dip 10-12 times then wrap in plastic followed by a towel
• Time: 30 mins