Fluidotherapy Machines & Units - Fluidotherapy & Dry Heat Medium Supplies

Fluidotherapy, also known as dry heat therapy, is a superficial heating modality that employs finely ground cellulose particles and forced convection to transfer heat to a limb that needs treatment. The limb in question has to be placed inside a fluidotherapy unit and some models are designed to treat two extremities at a time.

The functioning concepts of a fluidotherapy machine are fluidization and forced convection. Fluidization makes fine particles behave like a fluid but without any wetness. Heat is transferred to the limb placed inside the machine through currents of moving fluid. Forced convection is a highly efficient heat transfer mechanism as an external source generates a fluid motion and forcibly moves the fluid across the limb's surface. Besides heating, the air stream also allows for active range of motion (AROM) exercises and provides tactile stimulation.

Fluidotherapy equipment mainly helps increase blood circulation and tissue elasticity, reduces inflammation and pain in muscles and around nerve endings, and increases range of motion by easing resistive exercise. It also reduces joint stiffness, alleviates muscle spasms, and speeds up tissue healing. Fluidotherapy units — dry heat therapy units — are used to treat acute or subacute musculoskeletal disorders of the limbs, both traumatic and non-traumatic. Overall, its benefits are similar to that of a paraffin bath and whirlpool.

In broad strokes, a fluidotherapy machine is a whirlpool cabinet filled with a dry heat medium like Cellex. It has one or two. openings with velcro-closure sleeves in which the patient slides their injured extremities. Once turned on, the machine blows the heated particles around the limb and the patient is encouraged to perform AROM exercises during the treatment. A typical fluidotherapy session lasts for 20 minutes and the temperature can be adjusted at any point if it becomes uncomfortable. Looking for a fluidotherapy machine for sale? You can find the right model on ScripHessco.com, along with additional dry heat media, hot and cold packs, paraffin, hydrocollators, and their accessories.

The operating temperature of a fluidotherapy unit is 88-125°F, with the optimal performance achieved at 115-118°F at 50% airspeed. However, the ideal temperature range for most patients seems to be 100-113°F.

Thermistors, sleeves, and other replacement parts for fluidotherapy machines are available online and many don't require a professional to carry out the replacement. When it comes to thermistors, you must first make sure that the fluidotherapy unit is unplugged. You then remove the unit cover, locate the thermistor, pull it out of the mounting clip, and unplug the wire harness. Attach the new thermistor to the mounting clip and perform all the previous steps in reverse.

Fluidotherapy equipment delivers dry heat therapy via forced convection heat transfer. The dry medium used is specifically designed for fluidotherapy machines and is made of natural and organic cellulose that is recyclable, safe, and environmentally friendly.

Often compared to paraffin baths, fluidotherapy has the added benefits of not getting any body part wet and, most importantly, allowing AROM exercises to be performed freely and with decreased pain. Both fluidotherapy and hot packs help with pain, but what really sets fluidotherapy apart are limb buoyancy and massaging effects. It can also be used for desensitization treatments as the temperature and air speed can be fine-tuned at any point during the therapy session. Since fluidotherapy is only suitable for limbs, hot packs are the go-to for alleviating back and neck pain.