Thermotherapy Flashcards

1
Q

What are the different ways to apply thermotherapy?

A
  • Moist hot packs (hydrocollator)
  • Warm Whirlpool
  • Paraffin
  • Fluidotherapy
  • Contrast bath
  • Heat lamps
  • (topical counterirritants)
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2
Q

What are the mechanisms of heat transfer for thermotherapy?

A

Conduction, Convection, Radiation and Conversion

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3
Q

What is conduction?

A

• Direct contact

– Heat (or cold) applied directly to the skin

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4
Q

What are examples of conduction?

A

– Hydrocollator packs

– Paraffin bath

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5
Q

What is convection?

A

Air or water particles move across the body part causing heating (or cooling)

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6
Q

What are examples of convection?

A

– Whirlpool

– Fluidotherapy

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7
Q

What is radiation?

A

• Transfer of heat from a warmer surface to

a cooler though air.

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8
Q

What is an example of radiation thermotherapy?

A

-Infrared lamps

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9
Q

What is conversion?

A

Heat generated from another energy form.

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10
Q

What are examples of conversion thermotherapy?

A

– Ultrasound

– Diathermy

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11
Q

What does recent evidence say about superficial heat?

A

Recent evidence says not just superficial
• Heating of
– Skin and small joints
– Deeper muscles: quadriceps, hamstring?
– Sub Q fat and skin pain makes deep heating
difficult
• NBCE
– Still “deep heat” for US and diathermy
– Other EPAs by name (hot pack, paraffin, etc)

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12
Q

What does thermotherapy help with?

A
  • Pain relief
  • Causes a calming or sedating effect
  • Spasm reduction
  • Increased mobility
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13
Q

How does thermotherapy reduce spasm?

A

– Decreasing gamma motor neuron activity

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14
Q

How does thermotherapy increase mobility?

A

– Decreased joint viscosity
– Decreased viscoelasticity of muscle, tendon, and
ligaments

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15
Q

Thermotherapy may be better than ______ at creating an analgesic effect

A

Ibuprofen

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16
Q

_____ duration low level heat can be

beneficial in the treatment of low back pain

A

Long

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17
Q

Shorter duration moist heat may help

reduce ________ pain

A

Myofacial

18
Q

What are the indications for thermotherapy?

A
• Decrease pain
– Neck, back, shoulder
• Decrease muscle spasm
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
19
Q

What are the contraindications for thermotherapy?

A
• Areas of impaired heat sensation
• Malignancy
• Thrombophlebitis
• Hemorrhage
• Abdomen, pelvis, low back in pregnancy
• Acute inflammation/inflammatory
conditions
• Confused and unreliable patients
20
Q

What are the precautions for thermotherapy?

A
• Impaired circulation
• Over wounds
• Severe cardiac insufficiency
• Over superficial metal implants
• May cause decreased motor skill and
reaction time
• Can increase fever
21
Q

What is the temperature of the hydrocollator?

A

158-169 degrees F or 70-70 degrees C

22
Q

How many layers of towels do you need between the patient and the hot packs?

A

6-8

23
Q

T/F: The patient is allowed to lay on the heat packs.

A

FALSE

24
Q

Maximum Whirlpool

Temperature by Body Part: Wrist and Hand

A

112 F

25
Q

Maximum Whirlpool

Temperature by Body Part: Foot and Ankle

A

110 F

26
Q

Maximum Whirlpool

Temperature by Body Part: Elbow

A

108 F

27
Q

Maximum Whirlpool

Temperature by Body Part: Knee

A

106 F

28
Q

Maximum Whirlpool

Temperature by Body Part: Thigh

A

104 F

29
Q

Temperature of water MUST be _____ if the size of the body area being treated is_______.

A

Lower, Bigger

30
Q

Describe the Paraffin-Dipping technique

A
• Application
– Check area for
contraindications
– Remove all jewelry,
watches, etc
– Wash extremity with
soap and water
– Dip extremity into
paraffin wait until shiny
– Re-dip 6-10 times
– Place extremity into a
plastic bag
– Apply toweling to hold
heat in
– Tx time: 30 minutes
– Remove toweling,
plastic, bag, and wax.
– Return wax to paraffin
bath
31
Q

Describe the Paraffin-Immersion technique

A
• Application
– Check for
contraindications
– Remove jewelry,
watches, etc.
– Wash extremity
– Dip extremity until
shiny
– Redip 6-10 times
– On 10th time place
extremity back into
paraffin bath for
duration of
treatment
– Tx time 30 minutes
– Remove from bath
and return wax
– Watch for burns
32
Q

Describe the Paraffin-Brushing technique

A
• Application
– Check for contraindications
– Remove jewelry, watches, etc.
– Use a standard paint brush to apply paraffin
– 7-10 layers
– Wrap or cover in plastic and layer of towels
– Tx time: 30 minutes
– Remove towel, plastic, and wax.
– Return wax to paraffin bath
33
Q

How do you use fluidotherapy?

A
• Application:
– Check for
contraindications
– Position patient
comfortably
– Place injured area
into machine
– Use toweling at the
interface between
machine and body
segment
– Tx time: 30 minutes
– Can do active
exercises within
machine
34
Q

Inverse square law

A

Intensity varies with the inverse square of the
distance between the bulb and the skin
– E.g. Change from 20 cm to 10 cm = ½ distance
– Inverse of ½ = 2
– Square of 2 is 4
– Therefore 4X more heat with half the perpendicular distance

35
Q

The cosine law

A

Intensity of heat
decreases with change
from perpendicular
– E.g. Rotate 30 degrees from perpendicular
– Cosine of 30 degrees = 86
– Therefore intensity of heat at 30 degrees is 86% of original intensity

36
Q

What phase is contrast bath used for?

A

Subacute phase

37
Q

T/F: Contrast bath is good for the treatment of swelling?

A

False; – Does not cause pumping of capillaries unless active

exercise

38
Q

Is contrast bath a deep or superficial modality?

A

Superficial; Length of treatment does not allow for deep penetration

39
Q

What are examples of topical counterirritants?

A

Biofreeze, Icy Hot, Ben Gay, etc.

40
Q

How are topical counterirritants thought to inhibit pain?

A

Thought that A-delta and c-afferent fibers

inhibit pain