Hydrotherapy Therapeutic Heat

General Therapeutic effects of Heat:

• Increases the extensibility (ability to stretch) of collagen fibers
• Decreases chronic joint stiffness
• relieves pain
• relieves muscle spasm
• Increases blood flow
• Can assist in removal of edema and waste products from areas of injury

Transmissions of Heat:

• Conduction: contact with warmed substances such as hot packs, paraffin
• Radiation: luminous and infrared lamps
• Conversion: Heat produced as energy from high frequency currents such as ultrasound; penetrates to deeper layers of body

Indications/Applications:

• Joint contractures to stretch tendons and increase flexibility; Heat and stretch fibers
• Rheumatoid Arthritis- heat increases the viscosity of the synovial fluid in the joint. Heat and follow with ROM exercises
• Chronic muscle spasm

Contraindications:

• Any acute inflammation such as bursitis, arthritis, tendonitis, sprains or strains
• diabetes

 

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