Hot/Cold Modalities

superficial heating agents

hot packs, fluidotherapy, paraffin, warm bath

superficial cooling agents

ice packs, ice massage, cold bath

ideal temperature for heating modalities

104-113

effects of temperature elevation

vasodilation, increase in oxygen uptake, elevates pain threshold, changes muscle spindle firing rate, decreased joint stiffness, increased muscle flexibility

how long it takes for subcutaneous tissue to reach max heating

6-8 minutes

heating time for hot packs

15-20 minutes

dip/immersion paraffin bath

two dips only

glove paraffin bath

6-10 dips to form glove, then wrap in plastic and towel

duration of paraffin bath procedure

10-20 minutes

duration of fluidotherapy

20 minutes

contraindications of heat modality

acute injuries, impaired circulation, peripheral vascular disease, decreased sensation, open wounds/infections

uses for cryotherapy

reduce pain, limit edema, relax muscles

when to use cryotherapy

for short-term pain relief to help the patient sleep and tolerate movement/exercise

duration of cryotherapy treatment

20 minutes

duration of ice massage

5-10 minutes

Use of ice massage

best for small areas

Contraindications of cryotherapy

Cold hypersensitivity

Cold intolerance

Cryoglobulinemia

Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria

Raynaud's phenomenon

Area of regenerating peripheral nerves

Area of circulatory compromise

cold urticaria

skin reaction to cold with redness, itching, and hives

cryoglobulinemia

blood contains large amounts of cryoglobulins proteins that become insoluble at reduced temperatures

Raynaud's disease

is characterized by exaggerated vasoconstriction in the extremities

Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria

rare blood disorder where immune system produces antibodies that destroy RBCs when a person goes from cold to warm temps

pallor

Extreme or unnatural paleness

cyanosis

appearing blue/purple in light skin tones and grayish in darker skin tones

erythema

redness of the skin due to capillary dilation