Termoterapi

Termoterapi, or thermotherapy, is the medical use of heat to raise tissue temperature with the aim of producing therapeutic effects. It encompasses a range of methods, from superficial heating such as warm baths, heating pads, moist heat and paraffin wax, to deeper heating modalities like diathermy and certain infrared therapies. Some approaches use heat to prepared tissues for exercise and rehabilitation.

The therapeutic effects of heat include increased blood flow and tissue oxygenation, higher metabolic activity, improved tissue elasticity, reduced joint stiffness, and analgesia through slowed nerve conduction and modulation of pain pathways. By relaxing muscles and increasing tissue pliability, thermotherapy can aid in pain relief and functional gains when integrated with movement and rehabilitation.

Indications commonly include subacute and chronic musculoskeletal pain, muscle spasm, joint stiffness (notably osteoarthritis), tendonitis, and rehabilitation after injuries or surgery. It is often used as part of a broader program that may include exercise therapy, manual therapy, and modalities targeting inflammation.

Contraindications and safety considerations include acute injuries with active bleeding or swelling, impaired sensation or cognition, skin infections or damage, and significant vascular disease or thrombosis. Malignancy in the treated area, certain implanted devices, pregnancy in some regions, and known allergies to heating agents also warrant caution. Treatments should be performed with appropriate safeguards, avoiding excessive temperatures, limiting duration (commonly around 15–20 minutes), and protecting the skin with barriers.

Evidence for thermotherapy is mixed and condition-dependent; it is typically used as an adjunct to other therapies to reduce pain and improve range of motion and function.