Therapeutic Techniques Chapter 19

Physical Therapy Acute and long term care facilities Helps condition muscles and restore strength and movement when people are injured, recovering from surgery, or have a physical disability. The PT department is made up of a trained people that work as a team to assist and direct patients in the rehab process. The main goal is to reduce pain, prevent deformity, and promote healing. They also attempt to restore function or assist patients by teaching them new ways to adjust to their disabilities. PT workers may be employed in in different settings: Acute and long term care facilities Rehabilitation centers Schools for the disabled Public health agencies Home health care centers Sports medicine centers Professional or school sports teams

Therapy Techniques Ultraviolet-light Diathermy Ultrasound Thermotherapy Cryotherapy Range of Motion Exercises Antiembolism Hose

Ultraviolet-light & Diathermy Therapy An invisible band of radiation at the upper end of the visible light spectrum. Used to treat the skin: acne, pressure sores, psoriasis, wound infections This treatment can cause severe burning. Diathermy A medical and surgical technique involving the production of heat in a part of the body by high- frequency electric currents used to stimulate the circulation, relieve pain, destroy unhealthy tissue. Often used to treat: Muscle problems, arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis Metal attracts heat during this procedure.

Ultrasound Therapy Uses high frequency sound waves to penetrate deep tissues creating effects of deep heat in your muscles and joints. Deep heat increases the blood flow to the area being treated, bringing nutrients and carrying away waste. Used to treat: pain, muscle spasms, swelling and inflammation, and problems with circulation.

Thermotherapy Refers to heat treatments. Heat is used to speed up the healing process by causing the blood vessels to expand (dilate) and allowing more blood to circulate to the area to help with the healing process. There are 2 kinds of thermotherapy: Moist heat (liquid hot packs) Dry heat (heat lamps, heat pads) This type of treatment is used to: Relieve pain Promote muscle relaxation and drainage Reduce muscle spasms, inflammation, and swelling

Cryotherapy Referring to cold therapy Cold application is used to: Causes the blood vessels to get smaller (contract). This slows the flow of blood to the area. This reduces the amount of fluid and helps reduce pain. Cold application is used to: Relieve pain Reduce body temperature Control bleeding Reduce inflammation Prevent edema (bruising)

Hydrotherapy The treatment is used to: Apply soothing medication Promote relaxation Improve circulation and mobility of an injured limb Loosen and remove dead skin Referring to water therapy. Usually given in a whirlpool, the whole body may be treated or just a limb.

Range of Motion Exercises ROM exercise are important for the resident who has limited movement. ROM exercises are given to: Stimulate circulation to decrease chances of blood clots. Encourage flexibility and mobility of the joints. 3 types of ROM: Active ROM-What the patient can do on their own. Active Assistive ROM-When the patient can move of the way but requires assistance. Passive ROM- When therapist moves the joint for them.

Flexion- the act of bending. Decreasing the size of the angle. Extension- the act of straightening out. Increasing the size of the angle. Abduction- moving away from the midline. Adduction- moving towards the midline. Internal Rotation- rotation towards the center of the body. External Rotation- away from the center of the body. Inversion- tilting the sole of the foot towards the midline. Eversion- tilting the sole of the foot away from the midline. Dorsiflexion- Bending ankle upward. Plantarflexion- Bending ankle downward.

Guarding Techniques Used when moving patients from place to place. They help protect the patient from getting hurt. Techniques to transfer a patient: Pivot Technique Sliding Technique Lifting Technique

Guarding Techniques Pivot Technique: Used when moving a patient who can bear weight on at least one foot. Works best when moving from a bed or chair to a chair. Normally involves one person, using a transfer belt to help the patient. Sliding Technique: Used when patient needs to be moved and cannot get up or bear weight on either foot. Works best when moving from bed to gurney or chair and back again. This provides security and decreases the chance of separation between chairs and bed. Lifting Technique: Used when there is ample help and strength to support the patient fully while moving them from one support to another.

Guarding Techniques All patients who can support themselves are encouraged to walk alone or with the assistance of another person. Try to help keep their body functions as normal as possible. A guarding belt (walking or gait belt) supports and helps patients feel secure. You may support the patient by placing one hand on the side of the gait belt and other behind the patient holding onto the belt. If a patient requires 2 people, one person on each side holding each arm and holding securely around the waist. If a patient falls, prevent injury by helping the resident to the floor.

Rehabilitation Equipment Ambulation devices assist patients to walk. Canes Crutches Walkers Braces Transporting Devices Equipment to move patients from one place to another. Ex- Wheelchairs & Gurneys Adaptive-Assistive Devices Equipment that helps a person perform daily activities. These can range from special holders for silverware to devices that help people put on socks or button clothing.

Oxygen Therapy Nasal Cannula Two pronged tube that fits into the nostrils and secured with an elastic trap. Mask Plastic see through mask that fits over the nose and mouth and is secured with an elastic strap.

Vocabulary Physical Therapy Flexibility Hydrotherapy Contraction Ultraviolet light Diathermy Ultrasound Thermotherapy Range of motion Flexibility Contraction Guarding Techniques Gurney Ambulation

CHAPTER 19 Questions – write question & answer 1. What does midline and center of body mean when talking about ROM? 2. What is the purpose of the ROM exercises? 3. When would antiembolism hose be used on a patient? 4. What is one of the problems associated with UV therapy? 5. Contrast thermo and cryo therapy and what they are used for. 6. What is the standard temperature for water in a hydrotherapy treatment? 7. What is the main principle behind acupuncture? 8. When do overuse injuries develop? Why are they difficult to prevent? And what's the best way to avoid them? 9. What is an assistive device? Name 2 examples of what someone would need them for. 10. What is respiratory therapy? And what do respiratory therapist do?