SUPERFICIAL HEAT MODALITIES








Superficial Heat





Skin and subcutaneious tissue temperatures increase 5*- 6* C after 6 minutes and are maintained up to 30 minutes after application.


A treatment duration of 15 to 30 minutes is necessary for an increase in muscle temperature of 1*C at depths up to 3 cm.


Temperature of a joint capsule in the foot increased 9*C in response to 20 minutes of heat exposure at 47.8*C.

It is therefore possible to heat joint structures using superficial heating agents when these structures are closer to the skin surface


Categories of Heat by Tissue Temperature

Mild—Up to 40 degrees C

Vigorous—From 41 to 45 degrees C



Hot Packs



• Most common way of delivering superficial moist heat (inexpensive, durable, re-usable)


• Made of hydrophilic (water absorbing) substance (silica gel)


• Stored in in water maintained at 70 to 75 degrees Celsius (158 to 167 F)


• 20-30 minutes of immersion required for re-heating (important to note in busy departments)


• Six to eight layers of towelling between skin and pack required


• Commercial terrycloth covers are equivalent to two to four layers


• Method of heating is conduction


• Various sizes - low back, full back, cervical, knee, wrist, etc.)





Paraffin




• Conduction method


• Paraffin wax and mineral oil

(low thermal conductivity)


• melting point and specific heat (amount of energy required to raise one gram of a substance one degree) lower in comparison to water


• Temperature maintained at 47 to 54.4 (116 - 130)


• Best suited for distal extremities


• Dip and Wrap (plastic bag and towel wrap)


• Dip and immerse (greater heating, increased risk of burning)


• Contours to the body


• Higher temperatures not as easily tolerated by all


• Unable to modulate temperature



Fluidotherapy



• Convection method


• Stimulation of both thermoreceptors and mechanoreceptors


• Uses natural cellulose enclosed in a cabinet through which warm air is circulated


• Stretching and exercise can be performed during application


• No loss of heat over time


• Greater heating, and elevated temperatures in joint capsules of hand and foot reported.



—CHECKPOINT—



This is a good time to pause and assess your knowledge of key concepts.


Below are links to a few learning activities that might assist your mastery of the material.


Completing some of the tasks may also earn you class participation credit! However, most importantly it will assist in your learning.


You should attempt to complete the assignments without using your text, notes, etc., as they are designed to test your knowledge—just like taking a test in class—but without the grade consequences.


Tasks include mock exams, games, clinical scenarios, and more. Click/tap on the activities and see how much you know!


Multiple choice
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