RADIANT HEAT

Radiant Heat
Heat
sensation felt when energy strikes or penetrates our
skin therefore raising the temperature of our tissue.

energy that matter can store in the form of

electronic, atomic or molecular vibrations.

universal forms of energy

Calorie or British Thermal Unit or Specific Heat

unit measuring the quantity of heat

amount of heat necessary to raise the

temperature of a body of unit weight by a unit
amount.

1 calorie temp. of 1 gram of H2O by 1˚C.

BTU temperature of 1 lb. of H2O by 1˚F.

Source of Heat:
Three Principal Source of Heat
1. Chemical Action
burning of fuel like gas or coal to produce heat
2. Electric Current
use of an electric iron or toaster to produce
heat
3. Mechanical Work
friction, compression or percussion converts
kinetic energy into heat.
ELECTROMAGNETIC
SPECTRUM
EMS consist of the ff.
Radio waves
Micro waves
Infrared rays
Visible Light
Ultraviolet rays
X rays
Gamma rays
INFRARED RAYS
INFRARED RAYS:
 The term came from the Latin word infra-below
hence the meaning “below red”.
 It is an electromagnetic wave with wavelength of 0.78
µm to 1000 µm
 Lies between microwave and visible light on the
spectrum.
INFRARED RAYS:
 The term came from the Latin word infra-below
hence the meaning “below red”.
 It is an electromagnetic wave with wavelength of 0.78
µm to 1000 µm
 Lies between microwave and visible light on the
spectrum.
 Discovered in 1800 by Sir William Herschel.
 Infrared rays are being given off from any hot body.
The greater the heating, the shorter
being the wavelength of the rays emitted.
Stages of Heating:
-Commencement of heating
1. 1st stage- body feels hot without showing any
change in color
2. 2nd stage- long wave is emitted which is invisible to
the eyes
3. 3rd stage- red, green and blue rays of visible
spectrum is added
4. 4th stage- also called white heat, ultraviolet rays
(UVR) are added.
Sources of infrared:
 NATURAL
 Any body with temperature higher than its
surrounding emits infrared.
 The most significant natural source is the sun.

 ARTIFICIAL
 The most convenient and the most popular
source of infrared.
 Used predominantly at home and medical
practice such as space heaters, hair dryers and
ovens.
DIVISIONS OF ARTIFICIAL
SOURCES:
1.NON-LUMINOUS
 Also referred to as Low temperature or Infrared
radiators
 A simple type of element for producing infrared
rays.
NON-LUMINOUS
3 TYPES:
1. Passing of electric current on a coiled wire wound
on a cylinder insulating material (fireclay).
1. IRR are emitted from hot wires and fireclay
which is heated by conduction.
2. Not perfectly non-luminous.
2. Passing of electric current on a coiled wire
embedded or placed behind an insulating material.
2. The emission of rays is then entirely from the
fireclay (painted black) and very few visible
rays are produced.
3. Passing of current on a spiral wire embedded in some
electrical insulator that is then contained in a steel tube
approximately 8 mm in diameter.
Current passes through the central wire
produces heat conducted by insulator to the steel tube
infrared rays are emitted.
 TIME:
 1st type- 5 minutes
 Other types- 10 to15 minutes
DIVISIONS OF ARTIFICIAL
SOURCES:
2.LUMINOUS
 Also called High temperature or Heat Lamps
 Emits a large amount of luminous radiation through
one or more incandescent lamp.
LUMINOUS:
 An incandescent lamp consisting of a wire filament
in a glass bulb.
electric current passes though the filament and
produces heat – IRR along with visible and few
UVR.
*The filament is a coil of fine wire and is usually
made of tungsten.
can tolerate repeated heating and
cooling.
ACCESORIES:
 Localisers
 Can be fitted to some types of lamp and facilitate the
treatment of areas of various sizes.
 Filters
 Absorbs shorter visible and ultra-violet rays
DEPTH PENETRATION
& Absorption:
 Dependent on the wavelength of the radiation used.
o NON-LUMINOUS
 Low temperature therefore long wavelength
 Absorbed primarily in the stratum corneum-
superficial layer.
 Depth of penetration: 0.05mm.-0.1mm.
 LUMINOUS
 High temperature therefore short wavelength.
 Emits near infrared which penetrates deeper into the
skin.

 Depth of penetration: still on debate

 Watkins and Shiber: 20-30mm
 Stillwell and Stoner: 3mm
 Quartz IR generator: 10mm
PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS:
 INCREASED METABOLISM
 The increase in metabolism is greatest in the region
where most heat is produced.
 metabolism demand for O2 and foodstuffs
output of waste products including metabolites.
PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS:

 VASODILATATION
 Dilation of the capillaries and arterioles in the
superficial tissues.
due to the effect of the heat, to the action of
the metabolites and to irritation of the superficial
sensory nerve endings (unless heating is very mild)
 PIGMENTATION
 Due to repeated exposure to infrared rays.
 Mottle in appearance
 Pigmentation may be observed on the legs of
individuals who habitually sit close to the fire.
 EFFECTS OF SENSORY NERVES
 Mild heating sedative effect
 Intense heating irritating effect
 The irritating effect- marked in luminous irradiation
more than non-luminous generator.
probably due to the action of shorter visible
and UVR than IRR.
 EFFECTS ON MUSCLE TISSUE
 temperature induces muscle relaxation and
efficiency of muscle action.
*Destruction of Tissue:
 Liable to occur if the heating is excessive.
 GENERAL RISE IN TEMPERATURE
 Occurs if the treatment is extensive and prolonged.
 The blood in superficial vessels is heated
passes to other parts of body temperature.
 FALL IN BLOOD PRESSURE

 Generalised vasodilatation peripheral

resistance blood pressure (BP).

 Heat viscosity of blood BP

 ACTIVITY OF SWEAT GLANDS
 Heated blood circulates affects centres for
regulation of temperature activity of sweat
glands generalised sweating
elimination of waste products.
APPLICATIONS:
therapeutic effects and clinical uses
 RELIEF OF PAIN
due to the sedative effect

pain due to acute inflammation or recent

injury is relieved effectively by mild heating.
APPLICATIONS:
therapeutic effects and clinical uses
 MUSCLE RELAXATION
warming of tissue and pain relief facilitates
muscle relaxation.

*IRR is frequently used as preliminary to other forms of

physiotherapy.
 INCREASED BLOOD SUPPLY
This effect may be used in the treatment of
superficial wounds and infections.
good blood white blood
supply is essential cells.
for healing.
 ELIMINATION OF WASTE PRODUCTS
 Extensive treatment activity of sweat glands
generalised sweating elimination of waste
products.

 Of value in some cases of generalised arthritis.

PRINCIPAL INDICATIONS:
 Sub acute and chronic traumatic and inflammatory
conditions.
 Various forms of arthritides and rheumatoid conditions.
 Mild forms of neuritis and neuralgia.
 Acute, sub acute and chronic catarrhal conditions of the
membranes, particularly episiotomies.
 Infections of skins: furunculosis, folliculitis
 Preliminary heating modality before exercises or
electrical stimulation.
TECHNIQUE OF APPLICATION:
CHOICE OF APPARATUS
PREPARATION OF THE PATIENT
 Sensation should be tested, should it be defective, IR
treatment is not recommended.
 Brief the patient
 Pt. Should be comfortable and fully supported
TECHNIQUE OF APPLICATION:
ARRANGEMENT OF THE LAMP AND PT.
 Lamp should be opposite the centre of the area and
rays strike the skin at right angle.
 Distance from pt. is 14 or 18 inches.
 Pt.’s face should not be exposed to the rays
especially the eyes.
 APPLICATION OF TREATMENT
 Exposure is given from 20-30 minutes
*Maximum arterial circulation is NOT attained in less
than 20 minutes.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
 Presence of impaired sensation for temperature
or pain.
 Presence of impaired circulation.

 Presence of non-inflammatory edema.

 Patients who are in the extreme ages.

 Presence of malignancy.
 FIN
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QUIZ:
1. What are the 2 sources of Infrared?
2. ...
3. Also referred to as Low temperature or infrared
radiators.
4. 3 physiologic effects of infrared
5. ...
6. ...
7. 2 therapeutic effects of IR
8. ...
9. Dependent on the wavelength of the radiation.
10. 1 contraindication of IR.