Contrast bath therapy involves soaking an injured area in alternating hot and cold water baths to increase blood flow and decrease joint stiffness. The temperature changes from hot to cold and back again produce a "pumping effect" that helps remove swelling through improved venous and lymphatic drainage. A full contrast bath treatment consists of soaking in warm water for 10 minutes, cold water for 1 minute, repeated three times, ending with warm water. Contrast baths can help relieve pain, stiffness and swelling through induced vasodilation and vasoconstriction of blood vessels.

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Contrast Bath

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Introduction
• Contrast bath therapy is a method of
application which involves soaking the
area to be treated in alternating baths of
hot and cold water.
• Contrast baths combine alternating hot
and cold water applications to increase
blood flow and to decrease joint stiffness

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Physiological mechanism
• contrast therapy produces a cycle of local
vasoconstriction and vasodilation resulting in
a “pumping effect” to facilitate the removal of
oedema by venous and lymphatic removal.
• Believed to alleviate
• pain,
• stiffness, and
• edema
by induced vasodilatation and vasoconstriction that
is usually produced by normally contracting
muscles.

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Equipment Needed
• Two containers large enough to
accommodate area to be treated
• one container is filled with cold water of
10° to 18° C (50° to 56° F) and
• another one is filled with hot water 38° to
44° C (100° to 110° F).
• Two test tubes for hot & cold
discrimination test prior to treatment

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Procedure
• Always begin with the warm water and end
with the warm water.
• Place part in the warm water for 10 minutes
• move the part around through the full, pain-free
range of motion.
• Remove and place immediately in cold water
for 1 minute.
• There will be an initial short period of tingling
until the part becomes accustomed to the cold.
• Continue alternating parts in hot water for 4
minutes and cold water for 1 minute

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Procedure
In Summary, soak in
• Warm water for 10 Minutes
• Cold water for 1 Minute
• Warm water for 4 Minutes
• Cold water for 1 Minute
• Warm water for 4 Minutes
• Cold water for 1 Minute
• Warm water for 4 Minutes Total time: 25 Minutes

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Contraindications
• Poor Circulation
• Heart Disease
• High Blood Pressure (Uncontrolled)
• Lack of Skin Sensation
• Open Wounds

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References
1. Stanton DB,Lehman JB,Graziano M,Ryan C. Contrast Baths:What Do We
Know about Their Use?. JOURNAL OF HAND THERAPY. 2003: 343 - 346
2. Contrast Baths. UHL Physiotherapy Dept. March 2004: 1-2
3. Contrast Baths. The Ohio State University Medical Center. 2010.
4. Lucy Beveridge. Contrast Bathing, Occupational Therapy, Patient
Information Leaflet. The Dudley Group. 2013
5. Carol Fawkes, Elena Ward. Contrast bathing – a snapshot summary report.
NCOR Research Development. 2012: 1 - 8
6. X07823 (3/12). Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Services. Approved for
distribution by Spectrum Health Patient Education Council ©2012 Spectrum
Health
7. Home Instructions for Contrast Bath. Cincinati Children's. ©1987,
ArthritisFoundation
8. Clair Allam. Occupational Therapy Contrast bath instructions. Cambridge
University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 2015: 1-2

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