Hydrotherapy

Emad Eldin Mohamed

 Definition
 Hydrotherapy, also known as water therapy or
aquatic therapy, is a broad term encompassing the
use of water in any form for therapeutic purposes
like maintenance of health or the treatment of
disease.
 Also called( Hydrothermal therapy) additionally
uses its temperature effects, as in hot baths,
saunas, wraps.
 Goals of hydrotherapy
A- General Goal
The goal of hydrotherapy is to improve the circulation and
quality of blood.

This is important, since blood deliveries nutrient to and

remove the waste products from the tissues and organs.

 By improving the quality of blood, more nutrients are

available for cells to use, and toxins are removed
more efficiently, which causes regeneration of tissues
and organs.
 Benefits of hydrotherapy
B- Specific Goals

1. Pain relief
2. Muscle relaxation
3. Stress reduction( improve overall mood).
4. Rehabilitation and recovery
5. Increased mobility and balance
6. Improved sleep
 Physiological Effects
 Thermal effects: are produced by the application of
water at temperatures above or below that of the body.

 The mechanical: effects are produced by the impact of

water upon the surface of the body in the form of sprays,
douches, frictions, whirlpools, etc.


Common techniques

1. Baths and showers

2. Neutral baths
3. Sitz baths
4. Contrast sitz baths
5. Foot baths
6. hot compresses
7. cold compresses
8. Hot or cold packs
 Physical properties of water
(Aquatic Physics )
These properties include
 Buoyancy
 hydrostaticpressure
 Surface tension
 Adhesion
 Hydromechanics
 Physical properties
1-Buoyancy
 Buoyancy: upward force
exerted on an immersed
object opposite to gravity

 Archimede’s Principle: a body

immersed in a liquid
experiences an upward force
equal to the weight of the
displaced liquid
 Physical properties
Clinical benefits
 Buoyancy
Help exercise when weight bearing is contraindication
(decrease stress and compression on weight bearing
joints, muscles and connective tissues).
Can be used as assistive or resistive force
Raise weakened body parts against gravity.
 Physical properties
2-Hydrostatic pressure

 Hydrostatic pressure: pressure

exerted by water on the immersed
body
Pascal’s law: “when a body part
immersed in fluid is at rest, the fluid
will exert equal pressure on all surface
areas at a given depth”
 Clinical benefits
 Immersion in water can assist in promoting circulation or
alleviating peripheral edema due to venous or lymphatic
insufficiency.
 Facilitate cardiovascular function
 Support provided by hydrostatic pressure may help to
brace unstable joints or weak muscles.
 Physical properties
3. Surface tension: water molecules on the
surface have greater tendency to hold
together

4. Adhesion: the tendency of water

molecule to adhere to other substances

5. Hydromechanics (Water in motion): the

tendency of water molecules to adhere to
each other
 Physical properties

Hydromechanics
 
Laminar Flow motion Turbulent Flow motion
 Physical properties
 Movement of objects in water cause water
movement (whirlpools or Eddy)
 Turbulence cause resistance
 The faster the movement the greater the
turbulence
 Modes of Heat Transfer
 Conduction
Two objects of uneven temps come into
contact
Heat transferred from higher to lower
temps
– Ex. Hot packs, Ice packs, Ice/Hot
baths, whirlpool

 Convection
Transmission of heat by mass movement
of gas/liquid
– Ex. Whirlpool, hydrotherapy
 Modes of Heat Transfer
 Radiation
Exchange of Electromagnetic (EM) energy in form of rays,
waves, and particles
Radiation of heat from a source heats the body
– Ex. SUN, laser, infrared heat

 Conversion
Generates heat when another form of energy is converted to heat
in the body
– Ex. Ultrasound and diathermy
Table 1. Modalities of Heat Transfer of the Various Modalities

Conduction Convection Radiation Conversion

Ice massage Hot whirlpool Infrared lamps Ultrasound
Cold packs Cold Laser Diathermy
whirlpool
Hydrocollator Fluidotherapy Ultraviolet
packs lighta
Cold spray
Ice immersion
Contrast bathsb
Cryo-Cuff
Cryokinetics
Paraffin bath
 THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
 Thermal
1. Cold application
2. Heat application
 Mechanical ………Agitation
 THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
 COLD APPLICATION
1. Increased cardiac tone
2. Peripheral vasoconstriction
3. Increased blood viscosity
4. Decreased HR
5. Longer diastole
6. Decreased vasodilator metabolites
7. Decreased blood flow
 THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
 HEAT APPLICATION
1. Vasodilation of arteries and arterioles
2. Increased capillary permeability
3. Release of vasoactive agents
4. Increased metabolism (Van’t Hoff’s Law)
5. Increased blood flow
6. Increased tissue extensibility
7. Increased HR
8. Increased RR
 THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS

 AGITATION
1. Analgesia
2. Facilitation of exercice
3. Muscle relaxation
Contraindications for Hydrotherapy

 Uncontrolled heart disease: High blood pressure, unstable

angina.
 Active infections: Skin infections, open wounds.
 Fever: Increased risk of overheating.
 Uncontrolled epilepsy: Risk of seizures in water.
 Recent surgery: Open wounds, implant sites.
 Cancer: Consult doctor before starting.
 Uncontrolled diabetes: Risk of skin problems.