HYDROCOLLATOR BATH THERAPY


WHAT IS HYDRO-COLLATOR BATH THERAPY

Hydrocollator bath therapy is application of moist heat as therapeutic agent and is one of the oldest forms of medicine. but these days efficient automatic units which produce a uniform and constant temperature to heat steam packs. these automatic units provide physiotherapists with a constant supply of ready to use heated packs. these automatic heating units are called hydrocollator units.

The hydrocollator units are stainless steel tanks in which silica gel packs are heated. the abilities of the machines are vary and all these units have insulated bases, the units contain a wire rack which acts as a divider for the packs and prevent contact of the packs with bottom of the tank, moreover these units contain heater which is thermostatically controlled and maintains water in the unit at a temperature between 76°C and 80°C. It can be felt on continuously as long as there is sufficient water in the tank. 

Hydrocollator pack is a fabric envelope containing silica gel. the main property of gel is its capability to absorb many times its own volume of water and when heated, to give off moist heat for 30-40 minutes and these packs are heated in a hydrocollator unit. 

METHOD OF APPLICATION OF HYDRO-COLLATOR BATH THERAPY

The part selected to be treated must be able to tolerate the pressure of the pack (approximately 500 to 800 grams), and tolerate 7°C to 10°C rise in temperature. It is also compulsory to ensure that the circulation can dissipate heat, and that skin sensation responses to thermal differences are normal, as it is easy to produce a burn. 

The packs retains its heat for 30 minutes, but after 10 minutes the patient may regard to pack as cool and comfortable and also the rise in temperature of the region under the pack averages 5°C. But the pack is applied to the body after being wrapped adequately in towels or blankets, and care must be taking to have a layer of toweling, and also to avoid excessive pressure by body weight being placed in bony points. 

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HYDRO-COLLATOR PACKS

(1) Heat production

(2) Temperature elevation

(3) Thermal gradient in the tissues: accurate assessment of temperature rises in the skin, subcutaneous tissue and muscle are not possible, but rough  scale has shown that hydrocollator packs have the following characteristics:

  • Skin temperature rise
  • Hyperaemia
  • Sedative effects

INDICATIONS OF HYDRO-COLLATOR BATH THERAPY

(1) Pain and muscle spasm

(2) Inflammation

(3) Adhesions

(4) Oedema

CONTRAINDICATIONS OF HYDRO-COLLATOR BATH THERAPY

(1) Circulatory dysfunction

(2) Impaired skin sensation

(3) After taking analgesic drugs

(4) Infection and open wounds

(5) After deep X-ray therapy

(6) Gross oedema with a very thin and delicate skin

(7) Cancer or tuberculosis in the area to be treated

(8) Patient who has lack of comprehension about the nature of the treatment and the potential dangers of the treatment.

ADVANTAGES OF HYDRO-COLLATOR BATH THERAPY

  • Hydro-collator pack is easy to apply, it saves time for personal, and effecient in heat conduction depending on the area treated
  • The packs are of various sizes, which fit most needs
  • Moist heat has more sedative effect than dry heat 

DISADVANTAGES OF HYDRO-COLLATOR BATH THERAPY

  • Hydro-collator pack is not easily applied around the shoulder and hips 
  • It is some how heavy and should not be used in extremely sensitive patients, since it can increase the discomfort 
  • Sometimes moist packs have a tendency to cause a skin rashes.




Comments

  1. Jaime HoustonMay 3, 2021 at 12:00 AM

    The term therapeutic bath is also used to refer to various types of warm-water soaks used to speed wound healing, to apply gentle heat to sore muscles or joints, to relieve emotional stress, or to treat a variety of physical disorders ranging from sports injuries , rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic sinusitis to painful . infrared sauna

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