Thermotherapy is divided into heat therapy and cold therapy.
Heat therapy
In this type of therapy, heat is applied either by radiation or conduction:
- Hot air
- Ultrasonic heat therapy
- Infrared radiation
- Overlays, wraps, packs, e.g. hot roll
- Hay bag
- Warm packs – e.g. fango, silt or mud.
- Full and partial baths
Heat relieves pain, relaxes, promotes blood circulation and stimulates the metabolism.
Already temperatures between 38-40 ° C are sufficient.
The increase in blood flow causes a better supply of tissues with oxygen and nutrients and vital substances (macro- and micronutrients)* and likewise a better removal of waste products of metabolism.
At the same time, especially in baths, there is a significant mental relaxation, which also has a positive effect on the entire body.
Indications (areas of application)
Musculoskeletal system
- Chronic joint and spinal changes.
- Chronic joint inflammation
- Joint and muscle strains
- After injuries or operations on the musculoskeletal system
- Bruises
Internal organs
- Chronic inflammation of the intestine
- Chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate)
- Chronic adnexitis (ovarian inflammation).
- Disease of the gall bladder
- Cramping abdominal pain (abdominal pain).
Other indications
- Frequent full baths (here: hot bathing; bath water temperature: normally 40-42 °C, often as high as 43 °C): A daily or almost daily hot full bath reduced the overall risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease by a significant 28% compared with bathers (no full bath or maximum twice a week). Apoplexes (strokes) why by 26% less frequently and cerebral hemorrhages by 46%; no effect had the frequent full baths on the frequency of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or coronary heart disease (CHD; coronary artery disease). Bathing frequency and sudden cardiac death (PHT) were not associated.
Cold therapy
Cold can be applied either directly by means of ice or indirectly by means of cold gas or cold air:
- Ice compresses
- Ice or gel bags
- Ice massage
- Ice dabbing
- Cold gas and cold air
- Ice partial baths for feet or arms
- Cold casts
- Cold chamber
Cold therapy can briefly stop or slow down the transmission of stimuli, eliminating pain.
After injury or surgery, cold leads to avoid swelling.
Cold treatment is also used for paralysis.
Furthermore, cold leads to the inhibition of inflammation, which is why “cooling” is often considered the treatment of choice for inflammations.Indications (areas of application)
- Acute inflammatory joint and spine diseases.
- Acute rheumatism
- Autoimmune diseases
- Lymphangitis – inflammation of the lymphatic ducts.
- Initial treatment of blunt injuries
- Fever reduction
- Collagenoses (group of connective tissue diseases caused by autoimmune processes) – systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), polymyositis (PM) or dermatomyositis (DM), Sjögren’s syndrome (Sj), scleroderma (SSc) and Sharp syndrome (“mixed connective tissue disease”, MCTD).
- After injuries or surgery on the musculoskeletal system
- Thrombophlebitis – superficial vein inflammation.
- Spastic states of tension of the muscles – e.g. in multiple sclerosis (MS).
