Fluidotherapy is a dry heat modality that uses suspended air streams with properties similar to liquid. It is used to treat distal extremities from 38-45°C. The fluidotherapy unit consists of a metal tank, power controls, thermostat, fan, and auxiliary heater. It is applied by immersing the treated area in the air stream for 20 minutes and checking skin color afterward. Therapeutic effects include relief of pain, reduction of muscle spasm, increased range of motion, decreased inflammation and edema, and enhanced healing. Indications for fluidotherapy are scar tissue, post-operative stiffness, pain, contractures, arthritis, and edema. Contraindications include fever, cancerous tissue, impaired sensation

1. FLUIDOTHERAPY
KEERTHI PRIYA MPT NEURO,
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

2. CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTION
METHOD OF APPLICATION
THERAPEUTIC USES
INDICATIONS
CONTRAINDICATIONS
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3. INTRODUCTION
 Dry heat modality that uses
suspended air stream which has
properties of liquid.
 Used to treat distal extremities
 Different types
 Temperature 38-45o c
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4. CONSTRUCTION
Parts of fluidotherapy unit
 Metal tank
 Power control
 Thermostat
 Turbulent control
 Fan
 Auxillary heater
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5. Fluidotherapy models
Latest model Bilateral arm unit Leg unit
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6. 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 auxillary heater
 Check the knobs
 Preparation of
treatment tray
Preparation of part to be treated
 Wash the part to be
treated
 Position of patient
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7. Methods of application
Application
 Immersion
 Close the orifice
 Cover the wounds if it’s
there
 Treatment duration 20
mts
Termination
 Turn off the knobs
 Check for skin colour
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8. Therapeutic effects  Relief of pain
 Reduction of muscle spasm
 Increases ROM
 Decreases inflammation
 Enhances healing
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9. Relief of pain
Stimulation of mechanoreceptors
Activates collaterals in
dorsal column
Stimulates inhibitory neurons
Release of
GABA
Decreased AP
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10. Reduction of muscle
spasm
Heating of
muscle spindle
nerve endings
& Golgi tendon
organs
Inhibitory
influence on
motor neuron
pool
Decrease
muscle
excitation.
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11. Decreases
inflammation& edema
Vasodilatation
Increased rates of fluid
exchange
Increases nutrient &
oxygen supply
Increase the
reabsorption of
exudates.
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12. Increases ROM
Increased
collagen
extensibility.
Viscosity of
tissues will
be
decreased
Reduction of
joint
stiffness
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13. Enhances healing
Creation of a
moist wound
environment
Potential
autolytic
debridement
The wound
sheds
unwanted
tissue
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14. INDICATIONS
 Scar tissue
 Post op stiffness
 Pain
 Contractures
 Arthritis
 Edema
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15. CONTRAINDICATIONS
● Fever
● Cancerous tissue
● Impaired sensation
● Circulatory deficits
● Uncooperative patient
● Haemorrhage
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16. REFERENCES
 PHYSICAL AGENTSTHEORY AND PRACTICE ,THIRD EDITION, BARBARA J.
BEHRENS, PTA, MS
 THERAPEUTIC FOR SPORTS MEDICINE AND ATHLETIC TRAINING MODALITIES,
SIXTH EDITION, W I L L I A M E . P R E N T I C E
 ELECTROTHERAPY EXPLAINED, LOW & REED
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