TEMPERATURES USED IN HYDROTHERAPY
Since Hydrotherapy is essentially thermotherapy, it is important to apply the treatments with the appropriate temperature.
Hydrotherapy treatments are given with cold, cool, warm & hot temperatures. The greater the temperatures difference between the area being treated and the water temperature, the greater the stimulus. With cold there should be a minimum of 10C difference to the skin temperature to produce a good reaction.
If alternate/contrast treatments are given, always change from warm water to cold. Brisk changes from hot to cold can create negative reactions. Treatments using increasing temperature should begin with indifferent and slowly rise to hot.
TEMPERATURE SCALE:
Cold < 18 C
Cool 19 C - 22 C
Tepid 23 C - 31 C (This range is not used therapeutically)
Indifferent 32 C - 35 C (Skin temperature of the torso)
Warm 36 C - 38 C
Hot 39 C - 42 C
Very hot 43 C - 46 C
