Whirlpool bath therapy involves immersing extremities or the whole body in water at 36-45°C for therapeutic purposes. There are different types of whirlpool tanks including low boy, high boy, and extremity tanks. Whirlpool therapy can relieve pain by stimulating mechanoreceptors and activating inhibitory neurons, reduce muscle spasm by heating muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs, and decrease inflammation and edema through vasodilation and increased fluid exchange. Indications for whirlpool therapy include musculoskeletal conditions, wounds, burns, and post-surgical conditions, while contraindications include bleeding, epilepsy, cardiac instability, and impaired sensation.

1. WHIRLPOOL BATH
THERAPY
Keerthi Priya MPT Neuro,
Assistant Professor.

2. CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTION
METHOD OF APPLICATION
THERAPEUTIC USES
INDICATIONS
CONTRA INDICATIONS
2

3. INTRODUCTION
● Use of water at a temperature of 36-45o C for treatment purpose.
● Heat is transferred by convection
● Used to treat extremities and also whole body
● Depth of penetration is 1-10mm
● Different types are there
3

4. Types
1. Low boy tank
2. High boy tank
3. Hubbard tank
4. Extremity tank
4

5. Types
High boy tank Hubbard tankLow boy tank Extremity tank
5

6. STEEL /CERAMIC TANK
AGITATORS
TOWELS
CHAIR PADDING
FOOT REST
CONSTRUCTION
6

7. METHODS OF APPLICATION
Preparation of patient
 Explaining procedure to
the patient.
 Checking for
contraindications
 Check for skin sensations
Preparation of apparatus
 Check for temperature
 Check the knobs
 Preparation of treatment
tray
Preparation of part to be treated
 Wash the part to be
treated
 Position of patient
7

8. METHODS OF APPLICATION
Application
 Immersion
 Treatment duration 20 mts
Termination
 Turn off the knobs
 Check for skin colour
8

9. Therapeutic effects
 Relief of pain
 Reduction of muscle spasm
 Increases muscle strength
 Decreases inflammation
 Enhances healing
9

10. Relief of pain
Stimulation of mechanoreceptors
Activates collaterals in
dorsal column
Stimulates inhibitory neurons
Release of
GABA
Decreased AP
10

11. Reduction of
muscle spasm
Heating of
muscle spindle
nerve endings
& Golgi tendon
organs
Inhibitory
influence on
motor neuron
pool
Decrease
muscle
excitation.
11

12. Decreases
inflammation&
edema
Vasodilatation
Increased rates of fluid
exchange
Increases nutrient &
oxygen supply
Increase the
reabsorption of
exudates.
12

13. Irrigation
Rinsing
Soaking
Wound healing
13

14.  Decubitus ulcers
 Open wounds/burns
 Post immobilization
 Post surgical conditions
 Sub acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions
 Arthritis
 Neurological conditions
INDICATIONS
14

15.  Bleeding
 Epilepsy
 Cardiac instability
 Impaired sensation
 Incontinence
 Hydrophobia
CONTRA INDICATIONS
15

16. Questions?
16

17. 17