Ibrahim Ragab
Beni Suef University, Egypt
Title: Implications of Manufacturing a Cost-Effective Domestic Aquatic Physiotherapy Device in Under Developed Countries
Biography
Biography: Ibrahim Ragab
Abstract
Many practitioners of hydrotherapy feel water has significant curative properties and that, unlike other medicinal agents, is not harmful nor potentially toxic. Aquatic physiotherapy promotes both physical and psychological functions using effects of buoyancy, dragging forces and partial immersion. Increasing demands on public and private expenditure, competitive tendering of public services and greater awareness of water and energy conservation issues augment the importance of aquatic physiotherapy. Maintenance and service providing affect greatly cost of sessions. Design of aquatic therapy devices necessitates knowledge which is critical to producing a satisfactory design. I design a rectangular fiberglass pool of a reasonable thickness with round corners and broad edges. Inside measurements of the device is 3.5m long x 2m wide x 1.7m depth. There are three water inlets, one skimmer and one for drain fitting. Proper housing of the device, plumbing fixation accessories and sanitation permit an effective structure hence, ambulation, exercises and hydro-massage are easily executed. A 2 hour circulation plan in this aquatic therapy device with operating temperatures of over 32 Celsius degrees are chosen as indicated by Australian Standards (AS3979). The hydro-massaging of water jets when controlled, is gentle and is capable of being applied to patients who are under great pain. The massaging effect of water currents serves to stimulate skin, nerves and muscular tissues. There is a safety belt anchored to a pulley in the ceiling helps upright position ambulation. However, the pressure to find more cost-effective ways to operate aquatic physiotherapy pools is the prime motivator as it is an expensive item. (key words: aquatic physiotherapy, Pool design, Australian standards)