What is thermal therapy?
Thermal therapy is a form of thermotherapy, whereby heat in different forms is supposed to relieve pain and non-inflammatory diseases. Most of the time, the methods of heat therapy belong to the field of physiotherapy.
How does warmth affect the body?
In principle, it can be said that warmth has a pleasant, relaxing and even invigorating effect on the body. First and foremost, heat relaxes the muscles and stimulates the body's own metabolism. This effect arises from the increased release of dismantling products, the higher nutrient absorption and the increased oxygen transport in the tissue. In addition, a temperature rise in the tissue is intended to strengthen the immune system.
When is heat therapy recommended?
Among other things, heat therapy - in addition to other physical therapies such as massages - can help with chronic diseases of the support and musculoskeletal system. This includes, for example, arthrosis, patternev disease, muscle tension and chronic joint inflammation. Heat also has a relaxing effect on unrest and arousal states and can thus remedy the situation.
When you should do without heat therapy
In the event of acute inflammatory processes, you should not use heat therapy because it would increase the inflammatory process. Even with feverish infections, dyspnea, hypotension or heart failure, heat is not the right treatment.
What types of heat therapy are there?
Well -known forms of heat therapy include the sauna and steam bath, mud packs, hot rolls or various bathrooms. Ultrasonic therapy also belongs in this area. The warming takes place here due to the mechanical energy of the ultrasound waves. In infrared therapy, heat from light energy is obtained. High frequency therapy uses electromagnetic fields for heat generation.