-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
hydrotherapy
alternating extremity bath
physical medicine
definition
alternating extremity bath
1. fill one basin with hot water 103° F, add vinegar, Betadyne, Hypericum tincture, or hydrogen peroxide for infected wound; add calendula tincture for uninfected wound
2. place part to be treated in hot bath for 3 min.
3. fill second basin with cold water (40-70° F); ice may be used to intensify treatment
4. place treated part in cold for 30 sec.
5. add hot water to first basin to raise temperature to 105° F, then place part back in hot for 3 min.
6. then 30 sec. cold
7. repeat steps 5 and 6 four to eight times, each time increase hot bath 1-2° F, not to exceed 110° F (maintain this once reached)
8. finish with cold bath except with rheumatoid arthritis patient
9. thoroughly dry treated part
note: if affected part not easily placed in bath then use towels soaked in
water, cover with wool; e.g. shoulder, neck, side
contraindications:
1. cancer
2. vascular disease
3. decreased sensation
4. hemorrhage
general indications:
1. chilblains
2. venous stasis ulcers
footnotes