Agents - Hydrotherapy

What is buoyancy? What is it equal to?

The upward force of water equal to the water weight displaced

If a person is immersed 3/4s of the way in water, what percent weight bearing reduction do they experience?

75%

The landmarks for the following have what percent of WB reduction?

• ASIS

• Xiphoid process

• C7

• 50%

• 67%

• 90%

Objects with a specific gravity less than ___ will float; the human body is ____

1; 0.974

What is viscosity/drag force?

Resistance to motion, velocity dependent

What is cohesion/surface tension, and how does it affect movement?

The tendency of water molecules to adhere together, and it means that moving through the surface takes more work

What is hydrostatic pressure?

It is circumferential water pressure that is equal on all sides and increases with depth; may counteract edema

What is turbulence?

When movement through water creates eddy and frictional drag

Water retains ___ times more thermal energy than air and transfers it ____ times faster

4; 25

List some physiological effects of hydrotherapy

Increases cardiac output/volume/stroke volume, decreases max oxygen uptake, increases total work of breathing, increases oxygen delivery and waste removal, increases urine output

List some contraindications of hydrotherapy

Bowel and bladder incontinence, infectious disease, severe CV issues, tracheostomy, uncontrolled seizures, severely reduced vital capacity, or active bleeding

List some precautions of hydrotherapy

Aspiration risk, catheter/line/lead, cognitive impairment, tetraplegia, open wounds, dry skin/rash, fear of water, sensitivity to heat (MS), CV diagnosis

The optimal pool temperature is

90-94°F; can be 86-94°F for high intensity, or 96-98°F for warmth