INFRA RED THERAPY.ppt PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION

REHABILITATION AND TREATMENT PROTOCOLS PPT

1. INFRARED RADIATION
Dr Tabassum
Saher
A
ssistant professor
-

2. I
NTRODUCTION
Infrared rays are electromagnetic waves.
It lies between visible light and microwaves.
Wavelength: 750 nm to 400000 nm.
Frequency: 4×10
14
Hz and 7.5×10
11
Hz.

3. TY
PES OF INFRARED RADIATION
INFRARED RADIATIONS ARE SUBDIVIDED INTO:
Type Wavelength
IRA
IRB
IRC
760-1400 nm
1400-3000 nm
3000nm –1mm
Former classification
Near or short IRR
Far or Long IRR
760-1500 nm
1500-15000nm

4. TY
PES OF IR LAMPS
Two types of infrared sources are used in physiotherapy
practice:
(a) Non-luminous generators
(b) Luminous generators

5. Non luminous generators
Also known as low temperature generators.
Produces only infra-red rays of wavelength 750 nm to 15000 nm.
These generators are heated by passage of electric current through a bare wire
or carbon, held in a non-conducting material like porcelain, mounted in the
centre of parabolic reflector.
For recent injury, sedative effect of non luminous generators may prove more
useful.

6. Non luminous generators

7. Luminous generators
Also known as high temperature generators.
Emits visible rays, ultraviolet rays, and infra-red rays of wavelength 350 nm to
4000 nm.
Are in the form of incandescent bulb – consist of a wire filament enclosed in a glass
bulb which may contain inert gas at low pressure.
Filament made of tungsten as it tolerates repeated heating and cooling.
For lesion of more chronic type the effect of shorter rays may prove to be of value
and under these circumstances a luminous generator is used.

8. Luminous generator in form of incandescent bulb

9. A
BSORPTION

Some radiations striking the surface of the skin will be reflected and some will
penetrate, scattered, refracted and ultimately absorbed.
Close to 95% of the radiation applied perpendicular to the skin is absorbed.
Water and proteins are strong absorbers of infrared.
Any radiation entering into the skin depends on : Structure, vascularity,
pigmentation of skin, wavelength of radiation.

10. Laws regu
lating
absorp
tion of radiation
Grothus-Drapper law
Law of inverse square
Cosine law
Beer-Lambert law
Kirchhoff’s law
Wien’s law
Arndt-Schultz principle
Stefan-Boltzman law

11. P
enetration
IR rays produced by Luminous generators can penetrate into dermis and
epidermis.
IR rays produced by Non-luminous generators can penetrate the superficial
dermis only.
Penetration of energy into a medium is depended upon :
a) Intensity of the source of infrared b) Wavelength
and frequency c) Angle at which the radiation hits the
surface d) Coefficient of absorption of the material.

12. Depth of penetration

13. P
HYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Increases metabolic rate
Cutaneous vasodilatation
Sweating
Stimulation of thermal heat receptors.

14. T
HERAPEUTIC USES
Relief of pain
Muscle relaxation
Increased blood supply
Increase in joint mobility
Acceleration of healing and repair.

15. D
ANGERS
Burns
Electric shock
Faintness or giddiness
Headache
Gangrene
Injury to the eyes
dehydration

16. Te
chnique of
A
PPLICATION
Patient position: Position the patient in a suitable, well
supported position with the area to be treated exposed.

17. Te
chnique of
app
lication
Explanation: Explain the nature and effects of the treatment to the patient
Examination: examine the skin to be treated and test the thermal
sensation and also check for contraindication

18. Con
traindications
Defective arterial blood supply
Haemorrhage
Defective skin sensation
Over pelvic region during pregnancy
Varicose veins
Known cases of tumors
Directly over the eyes
Patient whose consciousness is lowered
After deep X-ray and cobalt therapy
Acute skin disease like dermatitis or eczema
Advanced cardiac disorders.
Patients who are in extremes of age
Over testes

19. A
PPARATUS
Non-luminous generators take some time to get heated, so
they should be switched on before 5-7min of treatment.
Luminous generator needs no warm up time and can be
switched on once the patient is ready for the treatment.

20. A
rrangement of lamp and
pa
tient
Expose the skin to be irradiated and cover or shield the eyes.
The lamp is positioned opposite to the treatment area such that rays strike
the skin at right angles.
Set the lamp at an appropriate distance which is usually 50-75 cm.

22. I
NSTRUCTIONS AND
W
ARNINGS
The patient is warned that he should experience
comfortable warmth
Patient should report immediately if the heating becomes
excessive
Patient should not touch any part of the lamp or to move
nearer to it

23. A
PPLICATION
At the commencement of the treatment, intensity of
the radiation should be low but after 5-10
minutes(after vasodilatation) strength of radiation
can be increased
Physiotherapists should be near the patient
throughout the treatment.
Sweating is encouraged

24. T
ERMINATION
On completion of the treatment the skin should be checked carefully.
On palpation it may feel mildly or moderately warm and a moderate erythema
should be evident.
After extensive irradiation the patient should not rise suddenly from the
recumbent position or go out in cold therapy.

25. D
OSAGE
For acute cases irradiation with infra-red rays can be given for 10 to 15
minutes daily for 1 to 3 times as per the requirement.
For chronic cases upto 30 minutes once (daily) or on alternate days can be
given.

26. REFERENCE
Electrotherapy explained (Low and Reed)
Basics of electrotherapy (Subhash Khatri)
Clayton 9
th
edition
Textbook of electrotherapy (Jagmohan Singh)
www.scribd.com (Sagar Naik’s notes)
Google
Electrotherapy evidence-based practice 12
th
edition (Sheila Kitchen)