Thermotherapy & Cryotherapy Flashcards
What are the 4 Physiological Effects of Thermotherapy?
1) Pain Modulation
2) Vasodilation
3) Decrease in resting muscle tone
4) Reduction in tissue viscosity
What is Pain Modulation?
Gate-theory pain relief at the level of the spinal cord
What does Vasodilation do involving pain?
Increased blood flow leads to increased supply of oxygen.
Systemic Effect: Reflex Vasodilation with one area being heated, increased blood flow to other areas of the body
What does a decrease in resting muscle tone mean?
Decrease in gamma bias
Possible part of pain gating mechanism?
What happens as a result of reduced tissue viscosity?
Decrease resistance to flow
Increased tissue extensibility
What are the 3 indications for thermotherapy?
1) Temporary Pain Relief
2) Promotion of Tissue Healing
3) Promotion of Tissue Mobility
Contradictions for Thermotherapy
Pregnancy
Cancer
Infected with TB
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Impaired Sensation
Actively bleeding
Recently radiated tissues
Severe cardiac disease or failure
Impaired circulation
Recent Injury or exacerbation of chronic condition
Heat sensitive diseases
Skin breakdown
Severe edema
Testes
Impaired Cognition
Precautions for thermotherapy
Near eyes
Anterior neck/carotid sinus
Pregnancy
Cardiac failure
Significant amounts of subcutaneous fat
Topical counterirritants
Open Wound
What temperature is a hydro collator normally at?
160-165 F
What is the duration of Hot Pack Treatment?
20 minutes
Coupling Thickness Layer Amount
5-8 Layers
Paraffin Bath
Dip body part 7 continuous times to form 7 layers followed by immersion for 30 minutes
What are the 3 Physiological Effects if Cryotherapy?
Pain Modulation (Decrease Nerve Conduction Velocity/Pain Gating Mechanism)
Vasoconstriction
Decreased excitability nerve and muscle tissue (Decrease neuromuscular performance)
Cryotherapy and Vasoconstriction
Decreases formation of NEW edema and decreased metabolic rate (decrease cell hypoxia)
Indications for Cryotherapy
- Pain Control
- Inflammation Control
- Edema Control
- Modify spasticity
What does PRICE stand for?
Protect
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevate
Contraindications for cryotherapy
Cold Hypersensitivity
Raynaud’s Disease
Cryogloulinemia
Hemoglobulinemia
Impaired circulation
Chronic wounds
Over regenerating nerve
Tissues with TB
Hemmoraging tissue
Impaired circulation
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Anterior neck/carotid sinus
Precautions with cryotherapy
Sensitive skin
Infected tissues
Near eye
Damaged or at risk skin
People w/hypertension
People w/cardiac failure
Treatment consideration ?s
Do you have an unusual response to cold?
Do you have nerve damage?
Do you have numbness or tingling?
Do you have poor circulation in this limb?
Ice Massage Duration
2-5min
Cold Immersion
50-60 F
5-15 Min
Duration of Cryotherapy
Rewarding period ratio of at least 1:2, recommended is 1:6
Ice Pack 10-15 min
What is Frostnip
Nonfreezing of superficial tissue
Reversible
What is Frostbite
Freezing of tissue
Lasts several weeks
Will remain sensitive to cold for years
What is the temperature for a paraffin bath?
115-130 degrees
