Hot and Cold Immersion / Contrast Bath

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

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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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Indications
• Infections, sprains, strains, bruises and arthritis are some of the
more common conditions that are greatly benefitted by this bath.
• Contrast baths are used to treat the hands, wrists, feet and ankles
and can also be used for the elbows and knees if the container is
large enough.

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Contraindications
• Pregnancy (first trimester)
• Undressed or infected wounds
• Pacemaker
• Metastasis
• Fever
• Acute inflammation
• Acute hemorrhage
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Lack of sensation

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Precautions
• Open wounds
• Pregnancy
• Old age
• Menstruation
• Impaired Sensation
• Previous experience with the physical agent

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Links to YouTube Demonstration
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VClc3R1swns
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmY4gIozVa0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyf3g_byG1o
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwM2LrN1L5w

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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. Regal C. OSTEOARTHRITIS: Heat Therapy vs. Cold Therapy for Aching Joints [Internet].
Healthcentral.com. HealthCentral; 2011 [cited 2020 Apr 19]. Available from:
https://www.healthcentral.com/article/vitamin-d-and-osteoarthritis.
3. Fawkes C, Ward E. Contrast bathing – a snapshot summary report [Internet].
Googleusercontent.com. 2012 [cited 2020 Apr 19]. Available from: http://tiny.cc/petbnz
4. Home Instructions for Contrast Bath [Internet]. Googleusercontent.com. 2020 [cited 2020 Apr
19]. Available from: http://tiny.cc/oftbnz
5. Unit 7 Injury and the healing process [Internet]. Googleusercontent.com. Exercise Science
and Sports Medicine; 2020 [cited 2020 Apr 19]. Available from: http://tiny.cc/0htbnz
6. Behrens BJ. Therapeutic Heat and Cold. In: Physical agents theory and practice laboratory
manual. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis; 2006. p. 19–48.

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THANK YOU