 Hydrotherapy means application of water, either

internally or externally, for the treatment of physical

or psychological dysfunction.
 Properties of water

1.Specificheat and thermal conductivity

2.Buoyancy

3.Resistance

4.Hydrostatic pressure
 Physiological Effects Of
Hydrotherapy
1.Cleansing effects
2.Musculoskeletal effects

3.Cardiovascular effects

4.Respiratory effects

5.Renal effects
 Uses of Hydrotherapy
1.Superficialheating or cooling
2.Wound care

3.Water exercise

4.Pain control

5.Edema control
 Application techniques
1.Whirlpool

Equipment required:
Hot and cold water mixing valves

Thermometer

Turbine

Seat or stretcher

Gravity drain

Heated, well ventilated space

Towels and blankets

LOW-BOY WHIRLPOOL

EXTREMITY WHIRLPOOL
Advantages:
i.Can be used for heat transfer, cleansing, debriding open
wounds, exercise.
ii.Patient can be positioned securely and comfortably.

iii.Weaker muscles can move more freely than on dry

land.
iv.Allows movement while heat is being applied.
Disadvantages:
i.Size of tank limits amount of exercise and size of area
that can be treated.
ii.Risk of infection

iii.Costs associated with cleaning, maintenance.

2. Hubbard tank :
Equipment needed :
Hot and cold water mixing valves

Turbine to agitate and aerate the water

Seat or stretcher for the patient to sit

Gravity drain

Heated, well ventilated space

Towels and blankets

Advantages:
i.Can be used to treat large or multiple areas of the body

ii.Can be used for heat transfer, cleansing or debriding

the wounds, or for water exercises.
Disadvantages
i.Costly to provide treatment.

ii.Costly equipment and space requirement

iii.Requires extra caution with regaurd to possible

systemic effects of overheating with large amount of
body area exposed
3. Contrast Bath :
Equipment required :
Two water containers

Thermometer

Towels
Advantages:
i.Promotes vigorous circulatory effect than heat or cold
alone.
ii.Provides good contact with contoured distal extremities
compared to other thermal agents.
iii.May help to provide pain control without aggravating
edema.
iv.Allows movement in water for increased circulatory
effects.
Disadvantages:
i.Limb is in dependent position which may aggravate
edema.
ii.Some patients do not tolerate cold immersion.
4. Non-immersion Irrigation Device:
Examples : Shower cart, hand-held; Showers, syringes,
electric; Pulsatile irrigation devices.
Equipment needed:
Non-immersion irrigation device.

Irrigation fluid – usually bags of sterile saline.

Towels
Advantages:
i.Control of fluid pressure.

ii.Reduced risk of inflammation.

iii.Less time consuming.

iv.Saves expenses.

v.Reduces risk of hyponatremia.

vi.Can be used where whirlpool treatment is not

recommended.
Disadvantages:
i.Does not provide the therapeutic benefits associated
with the buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure of
immersion hydrotherapy.
5. Exercise pool :
Equipment needed:
Appropriate space for pool

Non slip area around pool

Water supply

Safety equipment

Infection control equipment, including pump and

filter, chemicals and testing kit

Towels

Thermometer
Advantages :
i.Patient can move freely, without the risk of falling.

ii.Decreases weight bearing on joints.

iii.Buoyancy may assist weak muscles to allow

increased performance of active exercise.

Disadvantages:
i.Difficulty stabilizing and isolating body parts during
exercise.
1. Decreased tone
2. Stimulate righting reactions
3. Increase range of weak muscles
4. Stimulate correct pattern of movement
5. Stimulate functional movement patterns
6. Encourage and develop efficient breath control
7. Produce psychological effects
8. Treat orthopedic complications
9. Increase cardiovascular fitness
1. Acute vomiting or diarrhea
2. Recent Heart Attack or Resting Angina
3. Wound Infection
4. Skin Infection
5. Recent Neurological Event
6. Recent chemotherapy or radiotherapy
7. Recent DVT or Pulmonary embolism.
8.Incontinence

9.Sexually transmitted disease

10. Fever

11. Uncontrolled epilepsy

12.Uncontrolled diabetes
 Precautions
1.Controlled Epilepsy
2.Fear of water

3.Hemophilia

4.High or Low blood pressure

5.Poor skin integrity

6.Pregnancy if water exceeds 35 degrees Celsius

 Physical Agents in Rehabilitation by Michelle H.
Cameron - Saunders Publications.