rle (heat and cold application)

• Heat and Cold Aplication

  • Applied to the body to promote the repair and healing of tissue
  • The application of heat and cold procedures physiologic changes: temperature of tissue, size of the blood pressure, capillary blood pressure, and tissue metabolism.
• Forms of Heat Application - Apply locally for heat conduction.

  1. Dry Heat - Hot water bottle and Disposable heat pack
  2. Moist Heat - Compress and Hot packs, soak or bath
• Forms of Cold Application

  1. Dry Cold - Ice bags, Ice gloves, Disposable cold packs
  2. Cold Moist - Tepid sponge bath - systemic cooling effect.
• Physiologic effect of heat and cold

  Heat

  • vasodilation
  • Increase capillary permeability
  • Increase cellular metabolism
  • Releases muscles
  • Decrease pain by relaxing muscles
  • Sedative effect
  • Reduces joint stiffness by decreasing viscosity of synovial fluids.
• Physiologic effect of heat and cold

  Cold

  • Vasoconstriction
  • Decrease capillary permeability
  • Decrease Cellular metabolism
  • Relaxes muscle
  • Decrease pain by numbing the area
  • Local anesthetic effects
  • Decrease bleeding
• Rebound Phenomenon


  Occurs at the time of the maximum therapeutic effect of the hot or cold application is achieved and the opposite effect begins.
• Variables affecting the physiologic tolerance to heat and cold

  1. Body part
  2. Individual Tolerance
  3. Length of Exposure
• Heat Therapy


  Indications:

  • Stiffness
  • Arthritis
  • Pain

  Contraindications:

  • Trauma
  • Malignant Tumor
  • Edema
  • Bruises
  • Testes
• Cold Therapy


  Indication:

  • Sprains
  • Fractures
  • Swelling
  • Bleeding

  Contra-Indications:

  • Open wounds
  • Impaired circulation
  • Sensory impaired
  • Confused patient
• Local Effects of Heat Therapy

  1. Vasodilation
  2. Muscle Relaxation
  3. Decreases Stiffness and Pain
• Local Effects of Cold Therapy

  1. Vasoconstriction
  2. Decrease metabolism
  3. Decreased pain, decreased fluid, and thus less swelling.
• Contraindications to the use of heat

  • The first 24 hours after a traumatic injury
  • Active Hemorrhage
  • Non-inflammatory edema
  • Localized malignant tumor
  • Skin disorders
• Contra Indication of the use of cold therapy

  • Open wounds
  • Impaired circulation
  • Allergy or hypersensitivity to cold
• Special precautions during heat and cold therapy

  • Neurosensory impairment
  • Impaired mental status
  • Impaired circulation
  • Open wounds
• Cold Compress


  The application of wet moist dressing to a body areas.

  • to prevent discoloration or swelling
  • to relieve pain
• Hot Compress


  The application of warm moist dressing to a body area.

  • to warm the skin / surface area.
  • To aid in the process.
• Application of Icecap

  • To lower the temperature
  • To relieve pain
  • To control bleeding
  • To arrest inflammatory process
• Application of Hot water Bag

  • To provide warmth
  • To relieve pain and congestion