1. • Heat Transfer by Radiation:
• Radiation is the exchange of electromagnetic energy that
occurs when there is a difference in temperature
between the skin and the surrounding environment.
• As convection and conduction bring the heat from within
the body to the level of the skin, radiation assists in the
transfer of this heat from the skin to the air
METHODS OF HEAT TRANSFER (2)
2. • Heat transfer by evaporation
• Evaporation occurs through the loss of fluid from
sweating and by the pulmonary system during
exhalation.
• Any disturbance with the autonomic nervous system or
pulmonary system’s functions may interfere with loss of
heat by evaporation.
• Therefore, when administering hydrotherapy, sufficient
body surface must be exposed to the air to allow heat
loss. Otherwise water temperatures must be kept below
a body temperature between 33.3°C and 36.6°C.
3. Heat loss is affected by:
• The medical condition of the patient and his/her ability to
cope with heat.
• The environmental factors of humidity and temperature.
4. • If humidity and /or room temperature are too high, the
body will have great difficulty with heat loss. On the other
hand, should the ambient temperature be too low and
the area dry, heat loss may occur to a greater extent
than needed causing a chill.
• Therefore, muscle and joint stiffness secondary to the
reduction in peripheral circulation could occur. Strong
consideration should always be given to the design and
environment of the hydrotherapy area.
5. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS TO
HYDROTHERAPY
Adjustment to water
• This can be achieved through the followings:
• Breathing control:
• Good breathing control is essential for all activities in
water including swimming. It is frightening to inhale
water, which can be avoided by encouraging blowing or
breathing out. Blowing is also a pre-requisite for head
control, since it helps to bring the head forward and
assist in creating forward rotation around the center of
buoyancy.
6. • Relaxation:
• Relaxation or relief of tension is essential for the activity in
water. Relaxation is achieved through:
– Support, given to the body by the buoyancy.
– Weightlessness, experienced by the body when placed in
water.
– Warmth of water.
• Head Control:
• Development of head control forms the basis for development
of all functions. Where the head goes, the body follows. If this
is true on land, then it is equally true in water.
7. Balance control:
• Balance control is acquired through learning how to cope
with the body shape and rotational movements that occur
as a result of altered shape and by adjustment to the effect
of buoyancy.
Movement:
• Movement in water as well as balance and stability is
important. It includes the change from positions of standing,
sitting, kneeling and lying, to walk forwards, backwards and
sideways in water.
8. • Body image and spatial relationship:
• They can be improved in water through learning body
dimensions and the position of the limbs in space as well as
in relation with the rest of the body.
