| When a person is injured due to exercise, sports, | | | | temperature is obtained after about 8 minutes, |
| or other activity, the use of heat or cold is a | | | | followed by a reduction in temperature. Repeated |
| common treatment employed in their physical | | | | application of hot packs may extend the period of |
| therapy sessions. The use of heat is a | | | | temperature elevation, but does not alter the |
| non-evasive and helpful means of treatment. The | | | | distribution of the heat. |
| use of heat therapy promotes an increased blood | | | | Thermalators |
| flow to the injured tissue. The flow of blood | | | | Thermalators are hot therapy devices that are |
| delivers oxygen and nutrients to the injured area | | | | used to maintain a continuous heat temperature. |
| while decreasing muscle spasms, alleviating pain, | | | | The purpose is to provide comfortable and |
| and relaxing the muscle tissues. Heat is available in | | | | effective physical therapy. Proper heating of the |
| many forms such as hot and moist compresses, | | | | packs allows for an extended period of application |
| dry or moist heating pads, hydrotherapy, and | | | | on the injury. Thermalators are used in physical |
| silicate gel packs. Two popular methods used in | | | | therapy clinics and rehabilitation facilities. They |
| heat treatment for injured muscle and tissue are | | | | maintain a constant water temperature which |
| Hydrocollators and Thermalators. | | | | reduces the need for manually controlling the |
| Hydrocollators | | | | temperature of the water. Thermalators are also |
| In physical therapy, a hydrocollator is a liquid | | | | used to maintain massage lotions at a constant |
| heating apparatus that is used to heat and store | | | | warm temperature. Professional equipment such |
| 'hot packs.' The hot packs are used to treat | | | | as the thermalators ensures heat treatment |
| physical conditions such as muscle spasms, | | | | items do not cool down in the middle of |
| sprains, and bruised tissue. They are often used | | | | treatment. Water is thermostatically controlled and |
| to prepare an injured area for a deep tissue | | | | the device contains a snap-off thermal protector |
| massage. A pack is heated to about 65°C | | | | to prevent overheating. |
| and then placed on the injured area. The increased | | | | Injury to the muscle tissues due to exercise and |
| blood flow helps to minimize pain and stimulate | | | | sports activities are a common every day |
| healing. The hydrocollator pack is a small pack filled | | | | occurrence. Advancements in technology have |
| with a silica gel. The pack is soaked in hot water | | | | made healing quicker, more relaxing, and less |
| in the hydrocollator device in order to provide | | | | painful. Heat is used in physical therapy and |
| extended moist heat to the tissue. The silicate gel | | | | rehabilitation to help promote tissue healing, reduce |
| absorbs the water and retains the heat. They are | | | | pain, and increase a range of motion. The proper |
| usually applied over wrapped layers of towels for | | | | temperature is crucial to providing effective |
| a specified period of time, which is usually about | | | | therapy. Thermalators and Hydrocollators ensure |
| 20 minutes. Decreasing the thickness of the towel | | | | that a patient maintains comfort while undergoing |
| reduces the heat flow and produces an intentional | | | | treatment for their injury. |
| decrease in the temperature. The maximum | | | | |