SUPERFICIAL HEATING MODALITIES
MOIST HEAT THERAPY
INTRODUCTION
• It is a superficial heating modality, most commonly used in
physiotherapy departments for relief of pain and spasm and also
prior the stretching and mobilisation of stiff joints.
DESCRIPTION
• Moist hot pack is a conductive means of delivering moist heat to the patient . The pack
is made up of canvas and filled with silica material having hydrophilic properties,
so that heat ca be retained quiet long period of time.
• It is immersed in water of about (158°F to 170°F or 70°C to 76.7°C) in a
thermostatically controlled heater. The pack is capable of retaining heat for
approximately 30 minutes. Moist hot packs provide superficial heat up to 1cm to
2cm in depth, primarily applied over the flat & large body surfaces.
• Method of heat transfer : Conduction
MATERIALS REQUIRED
• Hydroculator unit, hot packs( available in a variety of shapes &
sizes), commercial hot pack covers(may be substituted with
terry towels for one commercial cover), towels, a timer, a call
bell or other alerting device, private or semiprivate treatment
area.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MOIST HOT PACK
APPLICATION
1. Explain the procedure to the patient and tell the patient, what
kind of sensation to be expected during treatment.
2. Inspect the area to be treated, for open wounds/cuts, and check
for level of sensation to temperature in the treatment area.
3. Ask the patient to remove all jewellery and clothing from the
are to be treated
4. Position the patient appropriately, comfortably and modestly.
Cover the area to be treated with a clean terry cloth towel.
5. Remove the hot pack from the hydroculator unit by using the
tongs on the pack. Wrap it in 6 to 8 layers of dry toweling or three
to four layers of commercial hot pack covers to protect from burns.
6. Place the pack on top of the body part to be treated and secure it
well. Its best to place the pack on top of or over the body part.
7. Provide the patient with a bell other alerting device. The physiotherapist
should remain nearby to make necessary adjustments and check the skin
periodically during treatment.
8. During the application of heat therapy, the patients supposed to feel a
sensation of mild warmth. The patient should not feel excessively hot or feel
any sensation of increased pain or burning. If the patient reports any of these
sensations, discontinue the treatment or reduce the intensity of the heat.
9. The treatment duration should be 120 minutes.. If the packs are used for
preheating prior to the electrical stimulation, 10 to 15 minutes are adequate.
10. Check the patient and the treated area after the first 5 minutes.
For comfort, signs of excessive redness, mottling and signs of
burns. Signs of excessive redness may indicate that the pack is too
hot & additional towel layers need to be added. If blistering is
present, discontinue the treatment immediately and apply a cold
pack to decrease the effects of burning.
11. Intensity is governed by the patient tolerance & is accomplished
by adding or removing the layers of toweling as needed
12. At the end of the treatment, remove the pack and dry the
treated are. Check the skin condition again. A regular response is
mild hyperaemia in the area. Skin mottling and severe
hyperaemia aren't normal responses and their cause should be
investigated before continuing with hot pack or any other
superficial heating treatments.
13. Return the hydroculator pack to the heating unit and allow at
least one- half hour of reheating before using the pack again.
Types of moist hot pack
Methods of applications
Hydrocollator
