Heat and Clinical Application Short Answer Worksheet

Identify two benefits that both cold and heat modalities share?

Decrease pain and decrease muscle spasm.

Explain why the skin appears red after a cold modality application.

This indicates blood circulation back to the area.

Explain Rebound Vasoconstriction and why our body responds in this way. What specific types of modalities are at a higher risk of resulting in this phenomenon?

Rebound vasoconstriction is out body’s was to attempt to sacrifice superficial tissue and save the deeper tissues. It is the max vasodilation has occurred and the treatment and stays constant or increases and the vessels begin to constrict. Paraffin baths, hot whirl pools.

Why is it contraindicated to apply a heat modality too early in the acute inflammatory phase?

If applied too soon in the injury response process, there is an increased amount of secondary cellular death from hypoxia and could extend the inflammatory phase.

Explain what a Thermopane is and how it effects ice immersion treatments.

The skin warms the surrounding water, which is warmer than the cold bath, so it creates insulation, and the treatment is not as good if the water is moving.

Paraffin bath is a commonly used heat modality. Explain the two methods of application. Which method results is greater temperature increases?

Immersion bath – dipping hand in wax 6-12 times and then immersing the hand for the rest of treatment time. 15-20 minutes Pack – dip hand in wax 7-12 times and then cover the hand in plastic then wrap in towel. 15-20 minutes Immersion bath has greater temperature increases.