Hydrotherapy Flashcards
(26 cards)
Aquatic “PT”
skilled service which requires
- Clinical reasoning & decision making
- Therapy provided based on standards of care & follows state & federal practice act
Aquatic “Exercise”
uses water as an exercise medium
- activity geared towards maintenance, fitness, general health goals
What are the general benefits of aquatic therapy?
1) Improve circulation, strength & endurance, balance
2) Increase ROM
3) Decrease tissue swelling
4) Normalize muscle tone
5) Protect joints during exercise
6) Reduce stress
Indications
- Orthopedic conditions - injury/trauma
- Weight- bearing restrictions
- Joint Replacement (TKA/THA)
- Obesity
- Pre-Post Natal dysfunction
- Spinal Cord injury
- Neurological conditions (Parkinsons, MS, CP)
- Rhematologic conditions
Buoyancy allows less pressure on joints
What are the unique physical properties of water?
1) Buoyancy
2) Hydrostatic Pressure
3) Drag
4) Temperature
Buoyancy
Upward force that works opposite of gravity
- reduces the amount of weight bearing in water & can cause a body to float
Hydrostatic Pressure
Increased pressure with water (fluid) density & depth; decreases effusion (assisting in venous return), induces bradycardia & centralizes peripheral blood flow
“reduce swelling, improve circulation toward the heart, slow the heart rate to balance increased central volume, and prioritize blood flow to vital organs.”
Drag
the amount of resistance to water
- drag happens when you or a limb move through water. It resists your movement, making you work harder.
ex: a larger person will have a greater drag
Temperature
Water retains heat 1000 more than air
- its harder to regulate temp in water due to no air being able to activate evaporation to reach homeostasis
General Temp Guidelines
79- 82 F = Cardiovascular training & aerobic exercise
84 - 90 F = flexibility, gait training, relaxation
91 F = ther ex. for patients with acute painul musculoskeletal injuries
79 - 82 F good for?
Cardiovascular training & aerobic exercise
84 - 90 F good for?
flexibility, gait training, relaxation
91 F for?
ther ex. for patients with acute painul musculoskeletal injuries
Physiological Effects
- When immersed up to the neck, for example, pulmonary blood flow, central blood volume & pressure, and central blood volumte = INCREASE
^ increase blood flow can help reduce swelling in the extremities - Hydrostatic pressure on the chest wall also increases the work of breathing by 65%, reduces vital capacity of the lungs
Contraindications
- Cardiac failure & unstable angina
- Respiratory dysfunction
- Severe peripheral vascular disease
- Danger of bleeding or hemmorrhage (water makes clotting difficult)
- Kidney disease
- Open Wounds
- Bowel & Bladder incontience
- Uncontrolled Seizures
Precautions
- Fear of water
- Neurologic/cognitive disorders
- Seizures (can I keep the patient safe)
- Cardiac Dysfunction
- Skin conditions (think of Eczema)
Stretching & water
water may provide a calming environment or pain relief that will allow patient relaxation
Strengthening
Remember resistance in water is speed dependent
- Patient is able to control the demand placed on contractile elements
- Varying position will allow therapist to use buoyancy/resistance of equipment for patient assistance/resistance
- Open & Closed chain possible
- PNF
- Lumbar spine stabilization
- Manual Resistance
Aerobic Conditioning
- Deep water running
- Immersed treadmill running
- Immersed equipment
- Swimming strokes
Balance
Able to elicit balance challenges which patient has increase time to respond to loss episodes
Benefits of water during Pregnancy
- Decrease weight bearing
- Helps to control peripheral edema
- Less elevation of HR, BP & body temp (pregnant woman may get overheated) with exericse
Sensory Input
Movement through water elicits greater somatosensory input than moving through air
*Note that movement must occur, immersion alone actually decreases sensory input & motor activity
Arthritis
- Increase aerobic capacity
- Decrease pain level
- Increase level of function
- Increase joint AROM
Respiration
Hydrostatic pressure on the chest wall makes breathing more difficult
