| In physical therapy, whirlpool refers to a special | | | | circulation in the wounded area as well as relieve |
| kind of bathtub used in water baths or | | | | pain. It also helps soften necrotic tissues and |
| hydrotherapy. Whirlpools generate air bubbles and | | | | reduce wound infections. |
| water from pumps placed at strategic points | | | | Physical therapists follow a guide for the |
| allowing the flow of air and water to massage | | | | administration of whirlpool treatment for wound |
| specific muscles of the body. The intensity of | | | | care. Typically, patients undergo whirlpool |
| circulation of air and water provides either gentle | | | | treatment once to twice every day for 20 |
| or deep massage. Whirlpools can be either cold or | | | | minutes. Depending on your wound, whirlpool |
| hot with adjustable whirlpool temperatures for | | | | treatment may include the use of an antiseptic. |
| physical therapy. | | | | After whirlpool, the therapist rinses the wound |
| There are different types of whirlpools. They can | | | | with water to remove any residues. |
| be permanent fixtures or portable sets. Some | | | | Therapists closely monitor whirlpool temperatures |
| whirlpool designs allow full body submersion and | | | | for physical therapy. Usually, therapists keep the |
| others are made for treatment of extremities | | | | water temperature at 92 °F to 96 °F |
| only. There are cold whirlpools, which is often for | | | | and not exceeding 38 °C for patients with |
| treatment of single parts of the body, and warm | | | | cardiopulmonary disease. The higher the |
| whirlpools, for full body therapy. | | | | temperature of the water the greater is the |
| Usually, cold whirlpool temperatures for physical | | | | blood circulation. |
| therapy are set at a range of 50º F to | | | | Health care clinics and facilities have strict policies |
| 70º F while warm whirlpool temperatures | | | | when it comes to sanitation in whirlpool or water |
| for physical therapy ranges from 100º F to | | | | therapy. Personnel must properly clean whirlpool |
| 110º F. Depending on the temperature, | | | | tanks and use disinfectants to prevent infections. |
| whirlpool treatments can last from 10 minutes up | | | | Whirlpool treatment is not for all wound patients. |
| to 30 minutes. | | | | There are also only certain types of wounds that |
| Whirlpools are ideal for improving circulation and | | | | can really benefit from this treatment. Some |
| performing range of movement exercises. In | | | | wounds may even become worse with this |
| addition, wound care is one of the common uses | | | | method of care. Your therapist will evaluate if |
| of whirlpools in physical therapy. Warm whirlpool | | | | whirlpool treatment is suitable to your health |
| temperatures for physical therapy wound | | | | condition and type of wound. |
| treatment cleanse wounds; increases blood | | | | |