Whirlpool Therapy is used to improve circulation, mobility, and patient comfort following an injury or surgery.
Decrease swelling, control inflammation, improve motion, decrease pain, decrease muscle spasm.
Warm Whirlpool (98-110°F to patient comfort)- Increases circulation by opening up small arteries in the body, bringing fresh blood supply, oxygen, cells, and nutrients to the injured area.
Cold Whirlpool (50-60°F to patient comfort)- cold whirlpools cause arteries in the body to close, which decreases circulation to manage inflammation and swelling of the injured body part.
Contrast Bath- uses alternating cold and warm whirlpool therapy on the same body part. It creates rapid opening and closing of the arteries to create a pumping effect, which helps decrease swelling.
Ankle fracture, plantar fasciitis, Lisfranc dislocation, Colles’ and Smith’s fractures, ankle sprain, Achilles rupture, Achilles tendonitis, pre-and post surgical lower leg injuries, hand/wrist and elbow injuries
The body part being treated will be placed in a tub of water with a motorized agitator. The temperature of the water will depend on the goals of therapy, but can range from 50-110°F. For contrast bath, there will be one cold whirlpool and one warm whirlpool that will be used alternately for 2-3 minutes at a time. We also use cryokinetic, which are range of motion exercises that are performed while the injured body part is submerged. Treatment ranges from 10-15 minutes.
