Traditional Hydrotherapy

from Dr GK Abbott's Prescriptions...

see Analgesics

Acute stage:

• Arterial hyperaemia
• Serous exudate, lymph with higher protein levels
• Increased leucocytes in blood stream and in tissues (return to blood stream more slowly)
• Local bright redness, erythema
• Severe, often throbbing pain (from swelling)

Treatment:

• Limit congestion
• Hasten exudate absorption and prevent further exudation
• Assist leucocytes
• Relieve pain

Achieved by Derivation:

• Continuous extreme cold over the part with only short intermissions
• Collateral heat
• If the cold does not work then it is either an Abscess or bone infection, osteomyelitis or Mastoiditis

Intermediate stage:

after a few hours or the next day

• Circulation slows with blood accumulating in capillaries and veins
• Less arterial blood present
• Leucocytes slowly return to blood stream

Treat by:

• Heating Compress replaced every 1-3 hours by
  • brief Fomentations becoming longer as inflammation becomes chronic
• If abscess forms - lance and drain and move onto chronic stage

Contra-indications

• Effervescent Bath

Chronic stage:

• Venous congestion, passive hyperaemia
• Early organisation of exudate
• Dearth of leucocytes
• Locally dark red or bluish
• Less severe pain, now dull and heavy

Treatment:

• Stimulate circulation by producing arterial hyperaemia
• Stimulate phagocytosis
• Promote resolution and absorption of exudate and prevent organisation

Achieved by Fluxion

• Vigorous Alternating Applications (can be used after the first few hours if not in vital area where rupture could cause problems)