PT PAP 101: Heat and Cold Therapy

PT PAP 101: Heat and Cold Therapy

• This lecture covers heat and cold therapy, including the physics principles, application methods, and therapeutic concepts.
• The learning objectives are to understand basic physics principles for heat/cold therapy applications, and to describe methods for heat/cold therapy application.
• Heat and cold therapy are used to induce local or systemic changes in body temperature for various therapeutic purposes.
• Heat causes vasodilation and cold causes vasoconstriction.
• Heat and cold therapies can be used before, during, or after other therapy sessions to enhance their effects.

Measurement

• Thermometry involves indirectly measuring temperature.
• Common temperature scales include Fahrenheit (°F) and Celsius (°C).
• Normal body temperature (rectal) is approximately 98.6°F or 37°C.

Transfer of Energy

• Energy transfer methods include conduction (through direct contact), convection (through movement), and radiation (through electromagnetic waves).
• Conduction examples include ice packs, hot packs, paraffin, and ultrasound.
• Radiation examples include shortwave diathermy, microwave diathermy, infrared, and ultraviolet therapies.
• Convection examples include fluidotherapy and whirlpools.

Therapeutic Application

• Heat agents transfer heat to the body.
• Cooling agents transfer heat away from the body.
• Therapeutic heating modalities (superficial and deep) increase skin temperature to 104°F-113°F to induce physiological changes for therapeutic benefits.

Science-Heat Transfer

• Heat naturally moves from warmer to cooler places.
• Hot objects in a cool environment cool down, and cold objects in a warm environment warm up.
• This is the principle behind heat application techniques.

Electrical Heating

• Electric current passing through resistive tissues creates heat (Joule effect).
• Shortwave diathermy uses radio frequencies.
• Microwave diathermy works through oscillating ions in electrolytes and molecules.

Heat Modalities

• Various methods exist for applying heat, including wax baths/paraffin therapy, hot water bottles, chemical heating pads, infrared and ultraviolet rays, shortwave diathermy, heating lamps, and electric heating pads.
• The effectiveness of heat modalities is dependent on contact area, tissue type, and duration. Specific tissues like subcutaneous fat have lower thermal conductivity (0.23 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹) compared to muscle (0.46 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹).

Heat Applications

• Heat applications are used to relieve pain, decrease soreness, soften exudates and tissues, and promote healing.

Contraindications - Heat

• Ischemia (e.g., arterial insufficiency)
• Hemorrhage (increased arterial/capillary blood flow with heat)
• Impaired sensation (e.g., spinal cord injury, predisposing to burns)
• Inability to communicate/respond to pain (e.g., dementia)
• Malignancy (potential increase in tumour growth)

Classification of Hot Applications

• Hot applications are categorized as local or general, and further divided into dry and moist.
• Local applications include localized heat sources, while general applications involve broader heat exposure.

Cryotherapy (Cold Therapy)

• Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, is applied to reduce inflammation, edema, oxidative stress, and improve pain tolerance (PTH/PTO).
• It works by reducing cell metabolism, and nerve impulse transmission.
• Different application methods include ice towels, ice packs, immersion, ice cube massage, quick ice, ice spray, and cold gel.

Contraindications - Cold

• Cardiac conditions
• Psychological issues
• Peripheral nerve injuries
• Vasospastic disease
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Cold sensitivity

This quiz explores the principles of heat and cold therapy, including physics concepts, application methods, and their therapeutic effects. You'll learn about thermometry, methods of energy transfer, and how temperature affects the body. Prepare to enhance your understanding of these essential techniques in physical therapy.