Introduction-
The Contrast Bath Therapy is the application of cold and hot water alternating to the upper extremities and lower extremities. The main objective of the Contrast Bath Therapy is to dilate and contract the blood vessels passively to enhance the blood circulation and reduce edema from localized area.
This therapy involves placing both the extremities into cold and hot water alternately. This alternate therapy produces contraction and vasodilation of the blood vessels in the superficial region, which increase the circulation of blood in local area of the extremities. The contrast Bath Therapy can be considered as a vascular exercise as vasodilation and vasoconstriction occurs alternatively.
This therapy is beneficial for reduction of the edema formation, reduces pain and heal the extremity. These bathes more commonly used by the athletic injuries. This is a type of Hydrotherapy treatment which is provided especially by physical therapists to help decrease pain and muscle spasms, increase range of motion and muscle strength, and improve functional mobility.
The physiological effects with this application procedure of hot and cold water bath therapy is completely depend upon the temperature of the water which is given to the tissues of the body , duration of the treatment.
Table of Contents
Physiological Effects-
- The application of Contrast bath therapy has many physiological effects which is aimed to achieve soo many physiological effects such as-
- The application of this alternate therapy causes contraction and relaxation of the blood vessels which increases the circulation of the blood flow.
- This increase in the circulation of blood flow facilitates the supply of oxygen and nutrient to the local area.
- The increase in the blood flow increases venous return and lymphatic drainage and waste product from the local area.
- The passive dilation and contraction of the blood vessels activates and triggers the deep vascular and peripheral pumping action .
- These type of action reduces the edema in injured soft tissue area.
- The increase in tissue temperature elevates the pain threshold and alters nerve conduction velocity which changes rates pf muscle spindle fibers firing.
- The elevation of the skin temperature at the therapeutic level demonstrated to produce a decrease in gamma efferent activity which reduces the stretch on the muscle spindle and afferent firing from the spindles. There is firing of Golgi tendon organs, that inhibit the tone of the muscles.
Application Procedure-
- The extremity which is to be treated with Contrast Bath Therapy should be exposed.
- The optimum temperature of the Contrast Bath unit should be maintained for cold 15-20 Celsius and for hot 40-43Celsius.
- Now the extremity is immersed firstly into the hot water bath for 3-4 minutes and then immediately into the cold water bath for at least one minute.
- This process needs to be done for 5-6 times to complete the total treatment time of 25-30 minutes.
- This procedure enhance the flow of blood more faster than just keeping the extremity into the hot water.
Clinical Uses-
- Recovery of the muscles- It improve muscle recovery by reducing the level of blood lactate concentration.
- Reduction of Edema- Application of contrast Bath Therapy causes lymph vessels to dilate and contract which increases the circulation of the blood leads to remove metabolic waste products from the local area.
- Increase Range of Motion
- Increase energy and alertness
- Chronic Cold hands.
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
- Relief of pain
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Diabetic foot
- Muscle Strain
- Ligament sprain
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Contraindications-
- Sensory Deficit
- Acute injuries
- Hypersensitivity to cold
- Open Wounds
- Vascular spasm
- Angina pectoris
- Impaired Circulation
To learn more about Contrast Bath Therapy watch this video given below-
To learn more about Transcutaneous electrical Nerve Stimulation click on the link given- https://physiocontent.com/tens-transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation/