Electrotherapy

The efficient automatic units which produce a uniform and constant temperature to heat steam packs is called Hydro collator unit. The Hydrocollator unit is a stainless steel tank in which silica gel packs are heated. The capacities of the machines vary and all units have insulated bases. The units contain a wire rack which acts as a divider for the packs and prevents contacts of packs with the bottom of the tank. The heater is thermostatically controlled and maintains water in the unit at a temperature between 76 and 80 degree Celsius. The Hydrocollator can be left on continuously as long as there is sufficient water in the tank.

Application of two medium currents produces a low-frequency current effect at the point of intersection of the two currents. This is the basic principle of the Interferential Therapy. Interferential Therapy(Current) is the application of electrical energy to the tissue in which two medium frequency alternating currents of around 4000 Hz, slightly out of phase, produce an Amplitude Modulated current of low frequency through the effect of interference.

Paraffin Wax for therapy is one of the most convenient, reasonable efficient methods of applying conducted heat to the extremities.  Paraffin wax of low melting point (55 Degree Celsius) is used. In order to keep the wax liquid at the lower temperature, and to prevent burns, liquid paraffin mineral oil is added to the melted wax.  The paraffin wax then remains melted at a temperature of 40° to 44° C. The low thermal conductivity of wax prevents the patient’s feeling as hot as in water of the same temperature.  The wax is self-insulating.