DR. Rashi Hot Packs

Dr. Rashi Goel (PT)Assistant Professor

DY Pati l Col lege of PhysiotherapyPimpri, Pune

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Hot packs are the packs which are immersed in an apparatus called hydrocollator unit

The heating unit is called a HYDROCOLLATOR UNIT

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Give gentle moist heat to superficial regions of the body,

The pack retains its heat for 30 minutes but after 10 minutes, the patient may regard the pack as cool and comfortable.

The pack is applied to the body after being wrapped adequately in toweling or blankets

Care must be taken to have a layer of toweling and to avoid excessive pressure by weight being placed on bony points

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A hydro collator pack is a fabric envelope containing silica gel

The gel is contained in a set of separate fabric pockets

The main property of the gel is its capability to absorb many times its own volume of water and when heated, to give moist heat for 30 to 40 minutes

The packs are heated in a hydro-collator unit

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Fabricpockets

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A stainless steel tank Silica gel packs are heated have insulated bases, the larger machines being

insulated with fiberglass

The units contain a wire rack which acts as divider for the packs and prevents contact of packs with the bottom of the tank

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Wire rack

The heater is thermostatically controlled and maintains water in the unit at a temperature between 76°C and 80°C

The packs, supported on racks in the tank takes 2 hours to become fully heated

It can be left on continuously as long as there is enough water in the tank

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Packs come in various sizes and shapes

A special collar pattern pack for the neck is usually available

The packs are wrapped in: Turkish towels Special terry cloth blankets (absorbent)

Large packs may be wrapped in bath blankets

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collar pattern pack

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oversized

Rubber hot water bottle Gel packs Sand bags Mud packs/Pelloids Absorbent lint Woolen material cloth

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Preparation of patient Testing of treatment part Warning for excessive heating Preparation of apparatus

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EFECT ON MUSCULAR SPASM:IT HELPS IN RELIEVING MUSCLE SPASM

RISE IN TEMPEATURE:FOLLOWING HOT PACK APPLICATION,THERE IS A RISE IN TEMPERATURE.

AS A RESULT OF RISE IN TEMPERATURE,THERE IS AN INCREASE IN CIRCULATION AND RELIEVES SPASM AND PAIN

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INCREASE IN LOCAL CIRCULATION:AS A RESULT OF CIRCULATION,IT PROVIDES FRESH SUPPLY OF BLOOD AND NUTRITION.

ALSO HELPS IN THE REMOVAL OF WASTE PRODUCTS

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1. Impaired Skin Sensation

2. Impaired circulation

3. Recent haemmorhage

4. Infections and open wounds

5. Tumours

6. Skin allergy

7. Analgesic drugs

8. Lack of Comprehension

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Easy to handle Easy preparation of application Variety of shapes and sizes available Moist heat comfortable Relatively inexpensive to purchase and replace

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The pack is applied to the body after being wrapped adequately in toweling or blankets. (This provides THERMAL INSULATION, So that the pack is at above 75˚C & the skin temperature does not rise above 42˚C or so).

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1. A hydro-collator pack is not easily applied around shoulders and hips

2. It is somewhat heavy and should not be used on extremely sensitive patients, since it can create discomfort

3. Sometimes difficult to secure on one place4. Does not retain heat for more than 20 minutes

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•BURNS – May occur due to;•Insufficient toweling•The temperature of the pack could be too high•Impaired circulation

•DEHYDRATION – Excessive sweating may produce dehydration

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The water level should be kept up to 3/4th full of water or slightly over the top of the packs at all times

The unit should be cleaned periodically