Electrotherapy

Assignment
Submitted to: Dr. Adil Umer
Submitted By: Fahad Ameer Khan
Dated: 14 July, 2022
Student Id: 11661
DPT-6th SEMESTER

Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is any activity performed in water to assist in rehabilitation and
recovery from eg. hard training or serious injury. It is a form of exercise in warm
water and is a popular treatment for patients with neurologic and musculoskeletal
conditions.
Physiotherapists are often involved in hydrotherapy in a rehabilitation setting.
Client satisfaction and adherence to this form of exercise are often high. The
therapeutic effects are often enhanced by the social setting of the sessions.
Hygiene and infection control needs to be closely monitored.

Physical properties of water

In common with other forms of matter, water has certain physical properties which
include mass, weight, density, relative density, buoyancy, Hydrostatic pressure,
surface tension, refraction and reflection.
Of the physical laws of water that the physiotherapist should understand and apply
when giving Aqua therapy, those of buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure are the
most important. The lateral pressure exerted and the effect of buoyancy together
will give the feeling of weightlessness.

• Buoyancy
Buoyancy is the force experienced as an upthrust which act in the opposite
direction to the force of gravity.
A body in water is therefore subjected to two opposing forces. When the weight of
the floating body equals the weight of the liquid displaced, and the centers of
buoyancy and gravity are in the same vertical line, the body is kept in stable
equilibrium. If the centers are not in the same vertical line the two forces acting on
the body will cause it to roll over until it reaches a position of stable equilibrium.
Example:
 Buoyancy aids in the rehabilitation of weak muscles and painful joints.
• Hydrostatic pressure
The molecules of a fluid thrust upon each part of the surface area of an immersed
body. Pascal's law states that fluid pressure is exerted equally on all surface areas
of an immersed body at rest at a given depth. Pressure increased with the density of
the fluid and with its dept. This means that swelling will be reduced more easily if
exercises are given well below the surface of the water where the increased
pressure may be used.
The hydrostatic pressure place on the outside of the body causes a decrease in
Blood Pressure (BP) peripherally and an increase in the BP in and around the heart.
This can cause potential problems.
Example:
Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) and Coronary Artery Disease CAD) clients and
needs to be taken into consideration. The greater the depth the greater the changes
described above would be.

• Resistance Effect
Water drag adds resistance and be used to strengthen your muscle.

Therapeutic Effects
• Relieve pain and muscle spasm
• To gain relaxation 
• To maintain or increase the range of joint movement
• To re-educate paralyzed muscles
• To strengthen weak muscles and to develop their power and
endurance.
• To encourage walking and other functional and recreational activities.
• To improve circulation (trophic condition of the skin).