Other heating modalities

Dr. Rashi Goel (PT)Assistant Professor

DY Patil College of PhysiotherapyPimpri, Pune

1. Fluidotherapy2. Hot compress/Sister Kenny’s packs3. Peloid packs4. Electrical heating pads5. Contrast bath6. Steam bath/Hot air bath

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• EquipmentUnit which contains cellulose particles through which warm air is circulated

Allows for high heating (higher than water and paraffin)

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It utilizes a stream of thermostatically controlled heated air flowing over and through finely granulated Cellex Dry Heat Media by an electric fan inside a lid covered steal cabinet

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This air stream creates air pockets and “bubbles” to provide a powerful massaging action that transmits heat and tactile stimulation to achieve many physiological and therapeutic benefits

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This suspension produces an illusion of fluid like mixture in which the treatment part is immersed, with a low viscosity

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• IndicationsUsed to treat distal extremities in effort to decrease pain, increase ROM and decrease swelling and spasm

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• ApplicationTemperature ranges from 100-113o FParticle agitation should be controlled for comfort

Athlete should be comfortableTreatment time = 15-20 minutesExercise can be performed while in cabinet

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Key Effects of Fluidotherapy-:

1.Dry Heat increases circulation and assists in pain relief

2.Limb buoyancy allows patients to freely perform a variety of resistive exercises with increased mobility and decreased pain. The fluidized Cellex particles act like a low viscosity fluid, allowing limbs to be suspended much like in a liquid state

3.Massaging action provides warmth, increased local circulation and pain diminishing effects to help increase joint range of motion

Native hot water fermentation technique

Hot water at 40- 45 deg, a water bottle containing same temperature of water or a IRR lamp and a good quantity of absorbent cotton mob or Turkish towel

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Mud packs contain natural source of minerals like sulphur, iron & silicate

Sea mud can retain heat for longer time

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Peat packs contain organic decayed vegetable stuff, can also retain heat because of its organic composition, mixed with preservative oils or chemicals

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Both these packs can be used either directly mixing it in water or by storing in cotton or canvas bags as like hot packs

Possible danger- skin irritation

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Application-

1. Heated in hot water tank at 40- 45 deg as hot packs and applied the same way

2. Mud and peat mixture is mixed in the water and heated, mixture is then evenly spread over thick towel and placed over affected part

Simple hot, dry air or a mixture of air and water vapor (moist steam)

This dry/moist air is circulated via hot air cabinets, a metal box fitted with an heating element at the base and a small electrical fan

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Base of the cabinet consists of double layer flooring- bottom layer for heating element thoroughly insulated and upper empty layer for delivering moist air vapors when filled with water

Bottom layer is sealed with a thick layer of mesh which contains small pores to deliver the vapors

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Dry as well as moist heat

Dry heat- only the element and fan is operated

Moist heat- bottom is filled with water and boiled by the elements through the thermostatic control


For dry heat- temp at 70- 80 deg C For moist heat- temp at 40- 44 deg C


Uses- Traumatic injuries of hand General relaxation Edematous limbs Open wounds


Small pads of 30 * 30 cm/ electrical blankets

Series of resistors to control temperature produced by a heating element wire (heat resistant)properly insulated by asbestos, cotton, fibreglass, plastic covering and operated at various temperatures

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Uses General muscle relaxation As a preheating modality for active and

passive exercises


An electrical blanket- can heat or cool the skin surface by varying the temperature of a circulating fluid

Able to apply a temp up to 40 deg C and down to 1 deg C, and vary it between these limits at a rate of 13 deg per minute


This device can be programmed to apply predetermined temperatures for pre-set times for thermotherapy, cryotherapy and for thermo contrast therapy


Heat can be transferred to, from, or within the body tissues by:1. Radiation2. Conduction3. Convection4. Conversion5. Evaporation

Conduction is a direct transfer of energy between two objects in physical contact with each other. Energy is transferred from the area of higher temp, to the area of low temp.

Ice packs/bags Hot packs Paraffin Ultrasound


Rate of energy transfer by conduction is dependent on

1.Temperature difference between two materials

2.Thermal conductivity3.The total contact area4.Tissue thickness

Radiation is a direct transfer of energy from higher temperature to lower temperature without the need for an intervening medium

No-contact is made

Shortwave diathermy Microwave Diathermy Infrared Ultraviolet therapy


Rate of heat transfer Radiations 1. Intensity of radiation

2. Size of radiation source

3. Types of tissue radiated

4. Distance from radiation source

5. Angle of incidence

Convection is a transfer of heat through direct contact between circulating medium (air/ water) and another material of different temperature

This is in contrast to heating by conduction, in which there is constant contact medium between objects

Fluid therapy Whirlpools Blood circulation

Methods of Heat Transfer

Conversion is a conversion of non-thermal form of energy (mechanical, electrical and / or chemical) into heatChange of one form of energy to anotherElectromagnetic energy to heatAcoustical energy to heat

Heat transfer by conversion does not require direct contact between the thermal agent and the body, however contact medium is required Ultrasound Microwave Shortwave


Evaporation: heat is absorbed by the liquid on the skin surface and cools the skin as it turns into a gaseous state

Vapocoolant sprays Alcohol Sweating


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Other heating modalities

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