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Content of training material

A simple physical therapy

Physical therapy (“

therapia

”- therapy treatment, “

phisio

” – physical nature,

influencing factors) is called a healing effect to the human body a variety of

natural physical factors: water, heat, cold, light, electricity, electromagnetic

field, ultrasound, etc. for therapeutic purposes. The simplest variants of physical

therapy are hydrotherapy, mustard plasters, cupping glasses, ice-bag, heating

pad, compresses, medicinal leeches.

Hydrotherapy

is external use of water for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

For this purpose therapeutic baths (common and local: for foot and hand), douches,

sponging down, wiping, bathing, wet wrapping (wrap) are carried out.

Classification of therapeutic baths due to the temperature regime:

1. Cold (up to 20 °C) and cool (up to 33 °C) common baths have a tonic

effect, increase metabolism, their duration should be not more than 1–3 minutes.

2. Warm baths (37–38 °C) reduce pain, relieve muscle tension, have a

calming effect on the central nervous system, improve sleeping. Their duration is

5–15 minutes.

3. Hot baths (40–45 °C) increase sweating and metabolism. Their duration is

5–10 minutes.

4. Indifferent baths (34–36 °C) cause slight toning and light refreshing

action. Their duration is 20–30 minutes.

Due to the composition of water therapeutic baths can be:

• simple (fresh) – from fresh water;

• aromatic – with adding to the water her aromatic substances;

• medicinal – with the addition of medicinal components;

• mineral – with mineral waters and gases (hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide,

radon, mineral water, etc.).

Ice-bag

Mechanism of action

: due to the dry cold there is a narrowing of the

skin vessels, as well as a decrease in the sensitivity of nerve receptors.

Indications:

bleeding, acute inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity,

contusions (in the first day), fever in the second period (suspended above the

head intermittently), in the postoperative period, after labor in the first hours,

with heat stroke.