Consequences of heat therapy
The heat therapy leads to an increase in blood circulation both in local (limited to one part of the body) and systemic (affecting the entire body) application. Through the heat the body receives the signal to dilate the blood vessels, so the blood can reach even the smallest capillaries. The improved blood circulation enables the body to increase its metabolic activity.
More nutrients are made available to the tissue as the blood flow increases, and at the same time metabolic waste products can be removed more quickly. This can significantly promote the healing of muscle injuries, for example. In addition, the tissue is supplied with more energy and can therefore work better.
At the joints the heat therapy does not only affect the musculature. The synovial fluid is also positively influenced by the heat: the heat therapy reduces the viscosity (“toughness”) of the synovial fluid and thus leads to an improved movement sequence in the joint. At the same time, the heat makes the connective tissue more elastic, which also improves joint mobility.
The massage, which is often carried out in addition, provides a further stimulus to strengthen the blood circulation in the treated areas of the body. This further increases the effect of the heat. At the same time, the warmth has a relaxing effect on the entire body, so that soul and spirit can be calmed.
What are the contraindications?
Contraindications for heat therapy are all kinds of inflammatory processes. Typical signs are redness, swelling and overheating of the painful area. Heat therapy should also not be used in cases of systemic inflammation such as acute infections, fever, but also inflammatory rheumatism (in acute phases).
Since warmth leads to a strong expansion of the vessels and thus lowers the blood pressure in the meantime clearly, caution is also necessary with cycle complaints. With strong blood circulation disturbances (which partly already accompany tissue damage) the heat therapy is contraindicated.
