HydrotherapyB.Nelson

What is hydrotherapy ? The treatment of physical

disability ,injury or illness by immersion , of all or part of the body in water to facilitate movement ,promote wound healing, relieve pain and maintain health

Physical properties of water Buoyancy Resistance Hydrostatic pressure Specific heat and thermal conductivity

Specific heat & thermal conductivity The ability of water to transfer heat

rapidly and efficiently is one of the advantages of performing exercises in a swimming pool that is colder than the patient’s temperature

Buoyancy Force experienced as an upward thrust

on the body in the opposite direction to the force of gravity

Submersion of the body decresaes stress and compression on the weight bearing joints ,muscles and connective tissue

Buoyancy cont’d Used to assist the therapist in

supporting the weight of the patient’s body part during therapeutic activities

Used to help raise a weakened part against gravity

Resistance The viscosity of water provides resistance

to the motion of a body in the water

Resistance occurs against the the direction of movement

Resistance increases with the speed of the body’s movement and the frontal area of the body part.

Hydrostatic pressure Pressure exerted by a fluid on the body

immersed in the fluid. According to Pascal’s Law a fluid exerts

equal pressure on all surfaces of a body at rest at a given depth and the pressure increases in proportion to the depth of the fluid

Hydrostatic Pressure cont’d Immersion in water can assist in

promoting circulation and alleviating peripheral oedema

Greatest effect with the vertical position

Physiological effects Are due to the physical properties of

water The effects are: Cleansing Musculoskeletal effects Cardiovascular effects Respiratory effects Psychological effects

Uses of hydrotherapy Superficial heating or cooling Water exercise Pain control Oedema control Wound care

Water exercise- types Swimming walking Running Cycle ergometry Underwater treadmill

Uses of water exercise Increase circulation Increase muscle strength Joint flexibility and range of movement Improve ambulation and coordination Improve cardiovascular and respiratory

conditioning

Specific uses of water exercise Orthopaedic rehabilation

Neurological rehabilitation

Cardiorespiratory fitness

Exercise in water during pregnancy

Specific uses of water exercise Exercise induced asthma Age-related deficits

Uses of Hydrotherapy cont’d Pain control Oedema control Wound care

Contraindications of hydrotherapy Pease Read text book

Adverse effects of hydrotherapy Drowning Infection Hyponatremia Aggravation of edema

Recommended reading Physical Agents in Rehabilitation by

Michelle Cameron