Whirlpool Therapy
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First used by the French army in WWI
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This treatment can improve circulation, mobility, and comfort after a surgery or injury
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It is a type of physical therapy
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It is known to decrease swelling, inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms, while improving motion and promoting healing.
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A tub is filled with water. They are usually small tubs that are meant for a leg or an arm. Some places have tubs that can hold the whole body
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Water temperature can be warm or cold
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Warm water is used to increase circulation
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Cold water is used to decrease circulation which can lead to a reduction in inflammation and swelling
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A contrast bath goes back and forth between warm and cold. This causes rapid opening and closing of the arteries which leads to a reduction in swelling.
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The treatment lasts for 10-15 minutes
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Your physical therapist may have you do physical exercises while using the whirlpool
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Whirlpool therapy has been effective in reducing pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
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One study showed that it is effective in treating complex regional pain syndrome
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More research is needed, but whirlpool therapy is a useful resource for treating chronic pain.
Sources
Sears, B. (2022, May 18). Whirlpool use in the physical therapy clinic. Verywell Health. Retrieved September 2, 2022, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/whirlpool-use-in-physical-therapy-2696642
Lim, K.-O., Lee, D.-Y., & Shin, W.-S. (2013, July). The effects of a warm whirlpool bath on pain and stiffness of patients with chronic stroke induced knee osteoarthritis. Journal of physical therapy science. Retrieved September 2, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820387/
Devrimsel, G., Turkyilmaz, A., Yildirim, M., & Beyazal, M. (2015, January 9). The effects of Whirlpool Bath and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on complex regional pain syndrome. Journal of physical therapy science. Retrieved September 2, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25642030/