Infrared Radiation Therapy (IR) Lecture 3 PDF

1 Electrotherapy II - PTBA 334 Lect. 3 Infrared Radiation Therapy (IR) Presented by: Dr. Haitham Elessawy  2 § Infrared radiation is a superfe...

1 Electrotherapy II - PTBA 334 Lect. 3 Infrared Radiation Therapy (IR) Presented by: Dr. Haitham Elessawy  2 § Infrared radiation is a superfecial thermal agent used therapeutically for: o the relief of pain and stiffness o to increase joint motion and o to enhance the healing of soft tissue lesion and skin conditions. IR introduction § All Hot bodies emit IR to varying degree and sources can either natural (e.g. sun) or artificial.Artificial IR is generally produced by passing an electric current through a coiled resistance wire & therapeutically both: o Luminious generators (radiant heaters). o Non-Luminious generators  3 § IRs lies in the part of electromagnetic spectrum that gives rise to heating when absorbed by matter ,between microwave and visible light. § Many source thar emit visible light or UV also emit IR IR Physical Charcateristics  4 § The international commision on Illumination (CIE) describes IR in terms of 3 biological significant bands, which differ in the degree to which they are absorbed by biological tissues and therefor in their effect upon those tissues. Wavelengths mainly used in clinically (0.7 mm(700 nm) to 1.5 mm (1500 nm) ) and concentrated in IRA band. Classification of IR Type Wavelength Pentration IRA (Short/ near IR) 760 -1400 nm 5mm reach to dermis IRB (Long/ Far IR) 1400-3000nm up to 1mm to epidermis IRC 3000 nm – 1 mm Not used therapeutically  5 § IR can be reflectes , absorbed , transmittes , refracted & diffracted by matter § The reflection & absorbtion being of most biological and clinical significant.which moderate the pentration of energy in to the tissues and make biological changes. § Pentration of energy in to medium depends on: Physical o Intensity of the source of IR. behaviour of IR o Wavelength ( and consiquent frequency of radiation) o Angle of emisson o Coefficient of absorbtion of the material. § The wavelength of the emitted IR are determined by the temperature of the material. The higher the temperature of the body, the higher the frequency, and the shorter the wavelength.  6 § Natural Source § Artificial Sources : 1- Luminous sources: Electrically heated filament made of tungsten filament within a glass bulb which contain an inert gas at low pressure. Part of the glass bulb is silvered to provide a Sources of reflector. Infrared: Luminous sources emit mainly:- Short or near IR (IRA)- Visible light- Ultraviolet 2- Non-luminous sources: produce infrared radiation from a non-glowing source, such as moist heat packs and non-luminous IR lampsNon- luminous infrared lamp consists of a coiled resistance wire which embedded within a ceramic insulating material Non - luminous sources emit mainly long or far IR radiation. 7  8 1- Cutaneous vasodilatation § Heating with IRR leads to vasodilatation of the blood vessels as a result of: release of chemical mediator histamine like substanceaxon reflex mechanism. Physiological § Vasodilatation causes increase blood flow in the cutaneous circulation Effects of § Vasodilatation starts after short period of exposure to Infrared IRR and leads to redness of the skin that appears as irregular patchy erythema and its intensity depends on the degree of heating. § This local erythema appears immediately after exposure to IRR and lasts 30 minutes after treatment has stopped.  9 2-Increase metabolism: § Increase temperature by IRR leads to increase metabolic activities within the superficial tissue due to direct effect of heat on chemical process in the cell Increase metabolic activities lead to improve cell function and improve tissue healing. Physiological 3- Neurological effect § The heat production by IRR leads to relief pain by: Effects of o Stimulation of sensory nerves (A-Beta nerve fibers) lead to Infrared inhibition of pain at the level of the spinal cord. o Decrease activity of muscle spindle leading to relaxation of muscle o Removal of waste products as the result of improving circulation o increase venous return thus removing the source of pain stimulation.  10 4- Effect on connective tissue The heat effect of IR leads to increase the extensibility of Physiological connective tissue and therefore is used prior to exercise to increase range of motion (stretching and mobilization Effects of exercises). N.B.Increasing tissue extensibility by heating Infrared through IRR will not decrease soft tissue shortening. So infrared must be used in conjunction with stretching and ROM exercises.  11 § Pain § Muscle spasm § Incisional wound (Acceleration of healing) § Subacute and chronic inflammation of musculoskeletal IR Indications system § Chronic mild to moderate edema § Prior to stretching &mobilizing exercises § Some skin conditions (fungal infection)  12 § Acute inflammation § Acute infection § Open wounds § Impaired sensation Contraindications § Impaired circulation § Over pregnant uterus § Eyes § Metal  13 Hazards and Dangers * The main danger of IR treatment is the burn. It occurs if 1- heat is too intense. 2- the patient is not fully aware of the level of heating. 3-the patient is unable to communicate with physiotherapist. * Eye damage : The eye should be covered with a light towel or head turned away during the application of IRR to avoid eye surface dryness or possible irritation. * Lower the Blood pressure.  14 Thank You