1. 21.3 Administering Heat/Cold Applications

2. Cold Applications
Cold Applications (Cryotherapy) are administered to relieve pain, reduce swelling, reduce body temperature, and control bleeding.

3. Types of Cold Applications
Moist Cold: More penetrating than dry cold and examples include: Cold Compresses, Packs, and Soaks
Dry Cold: Used Mainly to reduce body temperature and examples include: Ice Bags, Ice Collars, and Hypothermia Blankets

4. Cold Applications
Cause Vasoconstriction: Causes the blood vessels to shrink and decreases the blood flow. Swelling decreases because fewer fluids are present.
The cold also causes a numbing effect, which will decrease local pain

5. HEAT Application
(Thermotherapy) is used to relieve pain, increase drainage from an infected area, stimulate healing, increase circulation, combat infection, relieve muscle spasms, and increase mobility before exercises

6. Moist Heat
Effective in relieving pain in deeper tissues than are dry heat application
Examples are Sitz Bath, Hot Soaks, Compresses, Hydrocollator Packs, and Paraffin Wax Treatments

7. Sitz Bath
Used to provide moist heat to the perineal area and rectal area.
It is used Post-Partum and after rectal surgery to promote healing and provide comfort
Usually a patient sits on a pan of warm water over a toilet and tubing irrigates the effected area

8. Hydrocollator Packs
Gel filled packs which are warmed up to degrees
Maintains heat for minutes
Can be contoured to fit smoothly over the various body parts
Must be covered and do not allow direct skin contact
Used Prior to ROM

9. Paraffin Wax Treatments
Used most often with patients that have Chronic joint disease, such as arthritis, or sometimes prior to ROM exercises
Paraffin Wax is mixed with Mineral Oil and melted
The body part is dipped in the wax four to five times creating a sealing of heat and left in place for minutes

10. Dry Heat
Examples include Warm Water Bags, Heating Pads, Aquamatic Pads or Aquathermia pads, and Heat Lamps

11. Vasodilation Causes the blood vessels to enlarge and dilate.
More blood comes to the area, therefore allowing more oxygen and nutrients to enter the area for healing.
Heat and Vasodilation can ease pain by allowing the blood to carry away fluids that cause inflammation and pain

12. Precautions with Heat/Cold Therapy
Check the Patient Frequently
Color of the Skin and any Bleeding
The Young and the Old
Metal Objects should be removed
Always observe Standard Precautions with seeping or oozing wounds