Hydrotherapy

Question 1

What is the DEFINITION of Hydrotherapy?

Answer 1

• It’s the use of ordinary / regular tap water as a therapeutic agent

Question 2

How is Water CLASSIFIED, according to its Thermal Impact?

Answer 2

• Very Cold = upto 5C
• Cold = 5 - 20C
• Cool = 20 - 33C
• Neutral = 33 - 35C
• Warm = 36 - 40C
• Hot = ABOVE 40C

Question 3

What is the effect of COLD Water?

Answer 3

• Blood Vessels VASOCONSTRICT, for couple of mins
• 10 Mins Later = Vasodilation occurs
• ACTIVE Hyperemia = DUE to INCREASED BF
• PASSIVE Hyperemia = DUE to Blood STASIS

Question 4

What is the effect of WARM Water?

Answer 4

• SAME as the Cold Water Effect
• However, SHORTER Vasoconstriction - for a couple of seconds

Question 5

What does the MECHANICS of Hydrotherapy consist of?

Answer 5

• Hydrostatic Pressure
• Buoyancy
• Viscosity
• Push / HIT of the Water

Question 6

What are the METHODS of Hydrotherapy?

Answer 6

• Baths
• Showers
• Pools = For Aquatic Exercises

Question 7

What is the EFFECT of Aquatic Exercises on the Body System?

Answer 7

1) CVS = DUE to the Hydrostatic Pressure

• INCREASES Venous Circulation
• INCREASED Cardiac Output
• DECREASES HR + Systolic CP

2) Respiratory System

• DECREASESVital Capacity
• INCREASES Workload
• DECREASES Exercise-Induced Asthma

3) RENAL System

• INCREASES Diuresis
• INCREASES Sodium / Potassium Excretion

Question 8

What are the THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS of Aquatic Exercises?

Answer 8

• Relieves Pain / MM Spasm
• Relaxation
• INCREASED Range of Motion
• Strengthens the weakened MM
• IMPROVES circulation
• Hydrostatic Effect = RELIEVES pain by DECREASING Peripheral Oedema and DUMBING the Sympathetic NS Activity

Question 9

What are the INDICATIONS for Aquatic Exercises?

Answer 9

The BUOYANCY of water, is good for those with:

• Osteoarthritis
• Injuries to Ligaments / Muscles
• Fractures of Lower Extremities
• AFTER Replacement of Joint
• Obese

Question 10

What are the CONTRAINDICATIONS for Aquatic Exercises?

Answer 10

• Respiratory Dysfunctions
• Cardiac Failure / Unstable Angina
• Contagious Diseases / UTIs / Fever
• Hepatitis
• Epilepsy
• Urinary Incontinence
• Open Wounds / Recent Surgery
• Chemical Allergies = TO Chlorine

Question 11

What are the TEMPERATURE REGULATIONS for Aquatic Exercises?

Answer 11

• For Mobility / Functional Control = 26 - 33C
• For Aerobic Conditioning = 26 - 28C
• For INTENSE Aerobic Training = 22 - 26C

Question 12

What are the TYPES of Baths?

Answer 12

1) Contrast Bath

2) Sitz / Hip Bath

3) Foot & Arm Bath

4) Full-Immersion Bath

Question 13

What is CONTRAST Bath?

Answer 13

• START with Cold, END with Cold water
• Affected part is moved from warm to cold, repeatedly = Causing SENSORY STIMULATION
• HOT / COLD Receptors are activated alternatively
• DECREASES = Pain / Oedema / MM Spasm

Question 14

What is SITZ / HIP Bath & it’s Indications?

Answer 14

• Keeps the affected area CLEAN
• INCREASING BF to the affected area
• Relieving pain / discomfort in LOWER Part of the Body

INDICATIONS

• Haemorrhoids / Anal Fissures / Perianal Fistulas
• Rectal Surgery
• Uterine Cramps
• IBD
• Infections of Bladder / Prostate / Vagina

Question 15

What is FOOT & ARM Bath? & it’s Indications?

Answer 15

• Uses a 4-Chamber Bath

INDICATIONS

• Osteoarthritis of Hands / Feet
• Rheumatoid Arthritis of Hands / Feet

Question 16

What are the TYPES of Showers?

Answer 16

1) Swiss Shower

2) Charcot Shower

Question 17

What is CHARCOT Shower? & it’s Indications?

Answer 17

• Projects water under HIGH Pressures from a Shower-like device = As EXTRA STRONG Massage
• Applied from a distance = 3 - 3.5m
• Pressure = 1.5 - 3atm
• Temperature = 15 - 20C

INDICATIONS

• Treats / Prevents NEUROSIS
• Depression
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Stimulates Immunity
• Lower Back Pain
• Arthritis / Arthrosis
• Injuries to musculoskeletal system