PST 325
Cryotherapy and Hydrotherapy
2 Unit(s) (LH 30)
Course Description
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. acquire the necessary knowledge about the concept of cryotherapy and the historical
background;
2. describe physical principles underlying energy transfer with cooling agents and biophysical
effects of cold therapy;
3. summarise general principles of selecting a cooling agent, general preparations of cold
therapy, ice massage, ice towels, cold baths, vapocoolant sprays and compression units;
4. apply skills and knowledge acquire about clinical conditions for which cold can be of benefit;
indications and contra-indications; precautions to be taken to ensure the safety of the
patient during cold therapy;
5. discuss the historical background of hydrotherapy & spa; physical properties of water as
applied to therapeutic pool; indication and contraindication for hydrotherapy and physiologic
effect of hydrotherapy;
6. explain the concept of different types of hydrotherapy techniques; therapeutic pools &
common equipment; and
7. appreciate health and safety in hydrotherapy and purification of therapeutic pool.
Course Outline
Definition and description of development of cryotherapy. Physical principles underlying energy
transfer with cooling agents. Biophysical effects of cold therapy (Cryotherapy). General principles
of selecting a cooling agent. General preparations of cold therapy - Cold packs, Ice massage, Ice
towels, Cold baths, Vapocoolant sprays, Controlled cold - Compression units. Clinical conditions
for which cold can be of benefit. Indications and Contra-indications. Precautions to be taken to
ensure the safety of the patient during cold therapy (Cryotherapy). Dangers and safety measures
in CT. Practical demonstrations of method of cold therapy Cryotherapy). Therapeutic effects of
cold therapy Historical Background of Hydrotherapy & Spa. Physical Properties of Water as Applied
to Therapeutic Pool. Indication and Contraindication for Hydrotherapy. Physiologic Effect of
Hydrotherapy. Hydro-gymnasium/Techniques of Therapeutic Exercise in Water/Aquatic Therapy.
Types of Hydrotherapy. Therapeutic Pools & Common Equipment. Health and Safety in
Hydrotherapy. Purification of Pool.