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Hydrotherapy
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General Contraindications/Cautions
Please consult the referring physician
whenever uncertain about any condition or response.
-
Cancer - Caution is advised when treating
clients with cancer. It is best to work with the consent of a physician.
Some physicians may not be aware of the effects of hydrotherapy.
- Hemorrhage- Caution is advised when
treating a client who has a tendency to hemorrhage. Applications
of heat and cold which cause vasodilation increase the possibility of hemorrhage.
- Decreased Sensation- Any condition
in which the client has a decrease in sensitivity of the skin Hydrotherapy
is contraindicated as they may not be able to feel if the skin is too cold
or hot.
- Weakness -Hydrotherapy may be contraindicated
in a client that is weak as a treatment may make the weakness worse.
- Skin lesions- Applications are contraindicated
in the case of broken skin or other skin irritation that may be exacerbated
by hot or cold.
- Skin lesions such as pustules, papules,
blisters that are infected may rupture due to increased vasodilation and
are contraindicated.
- Pregnancy - Full body hot applications
to a pregnant woman are contraindicated as they may be associated with
an increased incidence of birth defects. This contraindicated the
use of hot tubs and other steady- temperature hot full body baths as well
as local applications of heat to the abdomen.
- Tuberculosis - Full body hot baths
may spread tuberculosis and is contraindicated.
- Anemia- Full body application of heat
increases cellular demands for oxygen that cannot be supplied if the client
is anemic.
- Diabetes Mellitus - Advanced diabetes,
especially Type I (juvenile onset) can decrease the client's ability to
sense tissue damage especially in the lower extremities. The vascular
damage caused by this disease also decreases blood flow to tissues.
Heat is contraindicated in these areas. Consult the physician.
- Heart disease - Heat and cold applications
that increase the heart rate and force of contraction are contraindicated
in heart disease as it may overwork an already weakened heart.
- Hypertension - Heat and cold applications
that increase the heart rate are contraindicated due to the stress on the
heart.
- Peripheral vascular disease -
Athlerosclerosis
and arteriosclerosis clients may have weakened or blocked arteries.
Heat applications increase tissue metabolism and demand for oxygen making
heat applications contraindicated.
- Temperature - Body temperature should
not go above 104 degrees. Temperatures above this may cause tissue
damage. Monitor with oral thermometer.
- Pulse - Heart rate should not exceed
140 beats per minute as it may overstress the heart. Monitor with
lateral anterior wrist.
- Post treatment rest period - The body
should be allowed to rest for at least a half hour after a full body hot
application to allow the body to return to normal.
- Skin sensitivity - Cold applications
are contraindicated for clients who have suffered from frostbite previously
or who have hypersensitivity to cold due to Raynaud's disease or other
conditions such as low blood pressure.
- Hypothyroidism - Cold applications
are contraindicated in clients with hypothyroidism which further causes
a reduction in basal metabolic rate
- Kidney problems - Cold is also contraindicated
in kidney malfunction or disease.
- Inflammation - Heat applications are
contraindicated in acute conditions of inflammation such as bursitis, arthritis,
tendinitis, sprains and strains.
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