Hydrotherapy

The Indian Spinal Injuries Center uses a heated Swimming pool for providing water therapy to patients.

Invention

Hydro is thought to have been invention of the ancient Greeks, especially athletes and after major sports competition.

The Basic Advantages: Why Hydrotherapy

• Hydrotherapy offers an early start in a (muscular) re-education program.
• Hydrotherapy offers treatments, which are otherwise impossible.
• Hydrotherapy offers treatment of impairments like pain, decreased ROM, decreased strength, and stiffness.
• Hydrotherapy offers treatment of disabilities like change of position, holding a posture and walking.

The combination of treatments of above mentioned impairments and disabilities using hydrotherapy is beyond comparison.

• Hydrotherapy automatically improves cardio-vascular and respiratory function.

• Hydrotherapy positively influences overall as well as local metabolism. This reduces arousal, pain and stiffness.

• Hydrotherapy has therapeutic, prophylactic and cosmetic effects

• Hydrotherapy can easily be adapted to patient - specific needs and can simply be applied. In a progressive way, from non-weight bearing to a full-weight-bearing programme

• Hydrotherapy offers the possibilities to handle even the very heavy patients with great ease

• Specific hydrotherapy techniques and leisure activities can easily be combined to Increase compliance of the patient.

• The patient is warm throughout the session.

• The physiotherapist can observe the total body and check e.g. body alignment.

Special Equipment

We use flotation or weight equipment, cervical supporters. foam bars, aqua dynamic balance rings and resistance gloves.

We don't use a huge amount of equipment except for flotation devices and fins. We just use the principle of the water to assist movement or to resist movement.

Objectives of Hydrotherapy

• To relief pain

• Mobilize joints 

• Promote Relaxation. 

• Increase range of motion 

• Improve general fitness. 

• Strengthen muscles and enhance co-ordination and balance

Conditions treated with Hydrotherapy include

• Neck Pain 

• Head injuries 

• Spinal Injuries 

• Rheumatology 

• Post - Operative Orthopedics 

• Multiple Sclerosis 

• Sports Injuries 

• Trauma

• Stroke

• Arthritis

Ante Pre and Post-natal exercises. We are noticing that births tend to be easier for al both tire mother mid child if the mother has partaken of hydro prior to delivery The warmth of ii water helps to relax muscle spasms and reduce stiffness among expectant mothers

Dimension Of Hydro Pool
Indian Spinal Injuries Center has 30ft width x 34ft. length

Usually 3 standard depths are Deep, Half Deep, Shallow

Necessary depths for therapies vary from 60 to l40 cms.

Different Levels: There are three ways to achieve different levels in a pool

• Gradually Declining floor

• Horizontally Floor with steps 

• Adjustable Floor

Temperature
Water temperature should not exceed 38C
Air temperature should be adjustable and not exceed 28C

Contra Indications(Skinner And Thomson 1994)

Recent Cerebrovascular Accident 
Recent Pulmonary Embolus. 
Severe or Unstable Cardiac Pathology 
Systemic Illness or Pyrexia 
Severe Gastro /intestinal Infections 
Alcohol Consumption 
High Risk Obstetric patient example. Uterine bleeding, incompetent Cervix, Suspended foetal distress etc. 
Incontinence of faeces unless on a controlled regime. 
Wound or skin Infections.

Situations requiring care to be taken

• Epilepsy

• Vertigo / Dizziness

• Low Vital capacity 

• Hypo / Hypertension 

• Open Wounds (covered with Plastic adhesive dressing) 

• Recent Radiotherapy 

• Uncontrolled Diabetics

• AIDS: patients with this syndrome should not he allowed into the pool if there are any abrasions of the skin. 

• Hemophilia: Avoid forceful movements to prevent bleeding into the joints. 

• Hydrophobia 

• Non-Swimmers 

• Pregnancy

Important
Physiotherapist should rely on his/her assessment of examination findings.
 

Exercises

Running and Walking in Water: without touching the bottom (if pool is less deep) gives more benefits than any other activity known. If there is time for only one exercise, this is the best choice

Exercise:3

Scissors kick:
For the thighs and arms

For stomach and hips

Exercise:5

Clap forward and back ward for shoulders, arms and hands

Horizontal skipping for arms, thigh and hips

Exercise: 7

Stretching of the back

Crawl like crabs for back and knees

Exercise: 9

Lifting of Stretched legs for stomach and legs

Seminar on wheelchair application in Spinal Injuries and other Ailments

On March 2nd, 2001, the Department of Rehabilitation organised a seminar on wheelchair application in spinal injuries and other ailments. The guest spectator were Dr. Helmot Denzinger, chairman-NEYRA, Germany and Dr.Kroger, occupational therapist-Germany.

The seminar covered key components of seating and wheelchair mobility like dimension data for the wheelchair (Neosuring method). Specialized wheelchair, sposts and alternative wheelchair, wheelchair adjustment and maintainance, wheelchair quality and safety aspects.

A large number of professionals and students from all over the country had participated in this seminar.


Orientation Course for carers of SCI patients

ISIC is conducting a six days certificate course once in every two months. This course is sponsored by RCI. This course is for carers, family members and community members who are interested in doing something for people with disabilities so that they can support physically, morally and spiritually to the extent that they are adequately rehabilitated.

In this course the consideration is to provide wide ideas on multiple issues including nursing, functional skills, physical fitness, psychosocial adaptation, financial resources, nutrition and methods for involvement in desired social and recreational activities.