Thermotherapie

Thermotherapie, or thermotherapy, is the therapeutic use of heat to treat medical conditions and promote healing. It encompasses a range of modalities that raise the temperature of skin, tissues, or joints, either superficially or more deeply.

Common superficial methods include moist heat packs, warm baths, paraffin wax baths, and infrared heat. Deeper heating can be achieved with modalities such as diathermy or, when used for heating, ultrasound. Heat is typically applied for short, controlled periods and under supervision when used in clinical settings.

The primary physiological effects of thermotherapy are increased regional blood flow, elevated tissue temperature, accelerated metabolic activity, reduced muscle spasm, increased tissue extensibility, and analgesia. These effects can help alleviate pain, improve joint range of motion, and support the healing of some soft tissue injuries. The usefulness and effectiveness depend on the condition, mode of heating, and proper application.

Indications include musculoskeletal pain and stiffness (for example in osteoarthritis or tendinopathies), muscle strains, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and other chronic pain syndromes where heat can relax muscles and improve comfort. It is not appropriate for all conditions and is often used as an adjunct to exercise therapy and other treatments.

Contraindications and precautions include acute injuries or inflammation, impaired sensation or skin integrity, vascular insufficiency, pregnancy in certain areas, fever or infection, and the presence of malignant disease in the treated region. Treatments should be applied with appropriate protection of the skin, monitoring of temperature, and adherence to recommended time limits to minimize the risk of burns or tissue damage.