HYDROTHERAPY : HYDROTHERAPY TAN HUI YING
TAMILSELVI
YOUGAN
Definition : Definition Hydrotherapy (also known as Aquatic Physiotherapy) is the use of water in the treatment of disease.
Hydrotherapy is broadly defined as the external application of water in any form or temperature (hot, cold, steam, liquid, ice) for healing purposes.
Hydrotherapy additionally uses the water temperature effects and the buoyancy principles.
Physiology of Hydrotherapy : Physiology of Hydrotherapy The recuperative and healing properties of hydrotherapy are based on its mechanical and/or thermal effects.
There are numerous proposed mechanisms of action of hydrotherapy, depending on the specific technique used.
It exploits the body's reaction to hot and cold stimuli, to the protracted application of heat, to pressure exerted by the water and to the sensation it gives.
Alternating cold with hot temperatures is suggested to alter blood circulation due to enhance the immune system and improve digestion.
Slide 4 : Applying warmth to skin surfaces does cause vasodilatation
which brings blood to the body's surface. Cold temperature
has the contrary effect.
When you submerge yourself in a bath, a pool, or a
whirlpool, you experience a kind of weightlessness. Your
body is relieved from the constant pull of gravity.
Slide 5 : Water also has a hydrostatic effect. It has a massage-
like feeling as the water gently kneads your body.
Some hydrotherapy techniques make use of these
physiologic changes, although correlation to long-term
health benefits is not clear.
Physical therapy in water makes use of buoyancy
(ability to float) to reduce work against gravity, as well as
the resistance of motion through water.
Indication : Indication To increases body temperature
To tone up the body muscles
To stimulate circulation
To increases metabolism
To stimulate the immune system due to increases the number of white blood cell and antibody production
Slide 7 : To decrease stress on joints in the water.
To assist or resist movement
To promote sweating
To relaxation and comfort
To relieve pain
Contraindication : Contraindication Impaired temperature sensation
Diabetes
Abnormally high or low blood pressure of pregnancy
Mental impaired
Skin disease
DVT
Common Technique : Common Technique Hot foot bath
Hot fermentation
Steam bath
Steam inhalation
Heating compress
Wet sheet pack
Salt glow.
Hot Foot Bath : Hot Foot Bath Treatment
The patient can be lying or sitting
Assist the patient to place his feet in the foot tub with hot water in temperature (39-40˚C)
Add hot water from time to time to increases the temperature gradually to 43˚C
Continue 10 to 30 minutes. check reaction for perspiration
When finished with treatment, pour cold
water over feet
Remove from tub, dry thoroughly
and cover well
Hot Fermentation : Hot Fermentation Treatment
Record the blood pressure, temperature and pulse of the patient before the treatment
Have patient lie on sheet and wrap blanket completely around the patient exposing only the head
Apply one fomentation under the patient’s back
Apply two fomentation across the chest
Leave on 3-5 minutes, when the fomentation become comfortable that is the time to change
Between change give cold mitten friction and dry the area
Make 3-4 changes to secure a good reaction: the skin will become red in treated area
Steam Inhalation : Steam Inhalation Treatment
Fill teakettle with boiling water add medication to water.
Place the blanket over the head and make sure the steam is not going out.
Inhale the steam through nose and mouth.
Treatment is done for 30minutes to one hour at least 2-3 times per day.
Heating Compress : Heating Compress Treatment
Immerse cotton cloth in cold water
Wring the cloth out so it will not drip
Apply the cold cloth and wrap snugly with flannel so air does not circulate
Pin securely; do not spare the pins
cover chest and arm with snug wool, long-sleeved sweater
Leave in place for several hours or overnight
DEFINITION : DEFINITION Hydrotherapy refers to the use of multi-depth immersion pools or tanks that facilitate the application of various established therapeutic interventions including stretching, joint mobilization, strengthening etc.
Application: To cure musculo-skeletal problems.
Indications for hydrotherapy : Indications for hydrotherapy 1. Muscular problems:
Muscular weakness, Muscle spasm, Tightness or contracture of muscles.
2. Bony or skeletal problems:
Inflammatory conditions of spine, Arthritis of various joints, Post fracture stiffness.
3. Neurological Problems:
Paralytic condition like polio, spinal cord injury,brain injury.
Goals : Goals 1. Facilitate ROM exercises.
2. Initiate resistance exercises.
3. Facilitate cardiovascular exercises.
4. Enhance patient relaxation.
Properties of water : Properties of water Buoyancy:
it is the upward force that works opposite to gravity. Buoyancy provides the patient with relative weightlessness and joint unloading allowing performance of active motion easily.
Hydrostatic pressure:
it is the pressure exerted on the immersed objects.
This increased pressure reduces or limits effusion, assists venous return, induces Bradycardia, and centralizes peripheral blood flow.
Slide 18 : Viscosity:
it is friction occurring between molecules of liquid resulting in resistance to flow. It creates resistance to all active movements.
Surface tension:
the surface of the fluid acts a membrane under tension. Surface tension is measured as force per unit length. An extremity that moves through the surface will perform more work than if kept under water.
Hydromechanics:
Hydromechanics is the physical properties and characteristics of fluid in motion.
Components : Components Laminar flow:
Movements where all molecules move parallel to each other, typically slow movement.
Turbulent flow:
movement where molecules do not move parallel to each other, typically faster movements.
Drag:
the cumulative effects of turbulence and fluid viscosity acting on a object in motion.
Center of buoyancy:
the center of buoyancy is the reference point of an immersed object upon which buoyant forces of fluid act. In vertical position, the human center is located at the sternum
Application of hydrotherapy in treatment : Application of hydrotherapy in treatment 1. Strengthening of muscle:
the water provides a remarkable environment to produce very fine exercise progression and it provides more resistance than air.
Muscles are strengthened by resistance may be offered by upward force, turbulence force etc. Even manual resistance can be applied along with it.
2. Endurance training:
muscular endurance refers to how many times the patient can repeat a particular activity inside water. The endurance activity can be performed against buoyancy, turbulence.
Slide 21 : 3. Joint mobility:
relief of pain and muscle spasm by the warmth of the water and by the support of buoyancy can restore free movement of joint.
4. Co-ordination and balance:
the buoyancy of water relieves the patient from weight and makes the activities like walking and step climbing easy.
5. Pain relief:
hydrotherapy pool improves circulation and enable tissue fluid to flow through the tissues thus facilitates removal of metabolites and improves nutrition.
CONTRAINDICATION : CONTRAINDICATION 1. Infective wounds
2. Hyperpyrexia
3. cardiac failure
4. Deep vein thrombosis.
5. Gastro intestinal disorder
6. Hypo or Hypertension
7. Epilepsy
8. Low vital lung capacity
PRECAUTIONS : PRECAUTIONS AIDS
The person suffering from AIDS should not be allowed in pool if any have a recent cut.
2. If the person is mentally retarded.
3. If the person is wearing contact lens.
4. If the person is wearing any hearing aids.
5. Patients have fear of water.
6. Cardiac dysfunction: patients with angina and abnormal blood pressure require close monitoring.
7. Patients with epilepsy.