Benefits of Thermotherapy

Introduction

Definition of thermotherapy

Heat therapy has been used for a long time in the field of medicine for a variety of different reasons. Thermotherapy is when heat is used on the body to increase the temperature of tissues. It is often used to treat body parts that have been injured or damaged. 

Brief overview of historical context

Thermotherapy has been used to treat different ailments for centuries. It dates as far back as 2000 BC when it was first used in the region of Egypt. Of course, at that time, there was no electricity, so they used natural sources of heat such as hot air and steam emanating off volcanoes and naturally occurring hot water springs. As civilisation progressed, thermotherapy gradually became more innovative and sophisticated until it became what it is today. This article will discuss how it can be used and any risks involved.

Mechanism of thermotherapy 

Explanation of how heat affects the body

Thermotherapy is used on damaged or injured tissue to induce a biological response in the body, helping to heal injuries. Thermotherapy is usually applied to the injured area to avoid affecting any nearby undamaged tissue. 

When heat is applied to the body, it brings about an effect known as vasodilation ^1. In this phenomenon, the blood vessels in the area will dilate, increasing the amount of blood flow to the area. When the blood flow increases, the amount of oxygen and nutrients in the area will also increase and help promote quicker healing of the injured tissue. Heat will also speed up the metabolic rate; thus, substances are broken down faster, and more nutrients are available for the injured cells. This ensures that the cells’ metabolic needs are met whilst undergoing repair. The heat will also improve the extensibility (the extent to which a tissue can be stretched/extended) of the tissue and help muscles relax. In turn, this can help to reduce pain in that area and improve stability. Deep heating is also thought to decrease the sensitivity of the nerves, which can help relieve pain.

Different modes of application

There are various ways that heat can be applied to the body. The application method can depend on which part of the body is injured, how extensive the injury is, or even personal preferences. Some methods of applications are:

• Hot packs, heating pads, and hot water bottles are common and simple heat application methods and can even be used conveniently in your home. 
• Wax bath: this uses a liquid form of paraffin wax to apply heat and is most commonly used on the hands. It can be effective in improving mobility. 
• Saunas: this is also a common method in which heat is applied to the whole body through steam in a small, unventilated room. It can be used to relieve any pain or muscle tension or even for recreation
• Topical heating: these are creams and ointments rubbed into the skin to produce a sensation of heat, cause vasodilation in the skin and provide quick pain relief
• Infrared radiation: this method uses infrared radiation to generate heat to help heal tissue. It can be used to penetrate the body to provide relief to tissues deeper in the body.²

Health benefits of thermotherapy 

There are many benefits to thermotherapy. It can be used for various pains and disorders. Some examples of this are: 

• Pain relief: Heat can be used to relieve various levels of pain. It can be done from home with a hot water bottle or heating pad to relieve a simple muscle cramp or strain. It can also be used for slightly more complicated disorders such as arthritis. Wax baths, in particular, reduce pain and stiffness for arthritic hands,³ although they cannot be used on their own. They must be used along with any medications you have been prescribed.
• Increased circulation: applying heat can bring about vasodilation, which can be beneficial. Vasodilation causes increased blood flow, which can help your muscles relax and improve joint stiffness.  Increased blood flow will also promote faster wound healing.
• Relaxation and stress reduction: thermotherapy is also used to reduce stress and cause relaxation. Saunas and hot baths, in particular, can be useful for this purpose. This relaxing effect may be due to the increased blood flow throughout the body. Relaxation and stress reduction can help to improve your mental health.
• Improved flexibility and range of motion: the increased flow of blood throughout the body also causes an increase in blood flow in the muscles. This causes the muscles to relax, improving an injured muscle's flexibility and range of motion. When the flexibility of the muscle is improved, it can help the injury to heal faster.
• Detoxification: thermotherapy can help with detoxification. This is a process where impurities and toxic substances are removed from the body. Saunas are particularly useful for this and are thought to “sweat out” the toxins and boost immunity. Recently, infrared radiation has also been used for this.
• Improved digestion: heat pads and water bottles can also be applied to the abdominal area to stimulate digestion and help your gut to absorb important nutrients. This can be useful if you are suffering from bloating and indigestion.

Medical applications 

Thermotherapy is also being used in more serious medical conditions. It is not used as a sole treatment, but it is used alongside the usual treatments. Some examples are: 

• Rehabilitation: this is when you try to restore a person's life to normal after it has been disrupted by injury, addiction, or any illness. Thermotherapy improves blood circulation in the body and muscle flexibility after a person has undergone an injury. It can help restore muscle movement and strength, helping a person to get back on their feet. 
• Management of chronic conditions: at times, thermotherapy can also be used for chronic (long-term) conditions⁴ such as sciatica. When heat is applied to the area, it can help temporarily relieve pain, improve nerve function, and increase joint mobility. It can also relieve muscle tension in the area, which can cause further pain relief. Other long-term conditions that can also benefit from thermotherapy are painful conditions such as fibromyalgia as well as some types of cancer.
• Wound healing: as we know, applying heat to an injured part of the body can cause vasodilation, increased blood flow, and increased supply of nutrients and oxygen to the injured area. It can be used for superficial wounds on the skin and even deeper parts of the body, with the help of infrared radiation. 

Safety considerations 

There are some contraindications for the use of thermotherapy, and these include: ⁵

• Wounds which are open, meaning the overlying skin is broken
• Heat is a trigger for some skin conditions, such as eczema, so it should be avoided 
• Heart conditions such as heart failure 
• Diabetes 
• Peripheral vascular disease 
• Memory conditions such as dementia 

As with any therapy, there is a small amount of risks involved:

• The most common risk would be a superficial burn on the body's surface. This often occurs with prolonged use of heat or if excessive heat is applied.
• You might find that immediately after heat therapy, you have an episode of lowered blood pressure. This occurs due to vasodilation taking place in the body. You might feel dizzy after standing up, and care needs to be taken while getting up from a sitting or lying position. 
• There is also an increase in heart rate during thermotherapy because of the increased amount of blood flowing through the body and the vasodilation. It is usually harmless, but thermotherapy needs to be avoided in people who suffer from heart conditions.
• Heat therapy can also increase swelling and inflammation in the injured area. Hence, it should be avoided immediately after obtaining an injury or if there is an active infection in the wound. Heat applied during these conditions can increase pain and prolong the healing of the wound. 

Conclusion

Considering these risks and contraindications, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before undergoing thermotherapy to determine if it is the right course of treatment for you. When you start undergoing thermotherapy, you should discuss which sort of thermotherapy is best for you, and this will largely depend on your injury. 

Generally, you might undergo short sessions of multiple sittings of thermotherapy. Your injury will determine the frequency and duration of your thermotherapy. It is important to obtain the correct levels of heat required and not apply excessive or prolonged durations of heat. 

That being said, thermotherapy is a relatively safe and simple method that can be used for many different things, such as pain relief, wound healing, increased flexibility and even relaxation. There are a variety of different methods that can be used to suit you.