Thermotherapy
What is Thermotherapy?
Thermotherapy is the superficial application of heat or cold (i.e. to the skin).
The application of superficial heat and cryotherapy (ice packs) does not require sophisticated equipment, and can prove to be very effective in providing relief to many veterinary patients.
Superficial heat
While therapeutic ultrasound is the method of choice for heating deeper tissues, the application of heat in the form of a moist hot pack can be very useful superficial tissues.
What It Does
Superficial heat:
- increases blood flow
- relaxes muscles
- provides pain relief
- increases extensibility of fibrous tissues
Indications for superficial heat:
Superficial heat is indicated for:
- chronic arthritis
- muscle tightness/tension
- to prepare ligaments and tendons for exercise
- to warm muscles prior to massage/stretching
Cryotherapy
The use of ice packs, like hot packs, can provide relief to superficial tissues.
What It Does
The effects of ice packs include:
- vasoconstriction
- pain relief
- reduction of muscle spasms
Indications for cryotherapy:
cryotherapy is indicated for:
- acute flare-ups of arthritis and tendonitis
- post-operative pain relief and reduction of inflammation
- trauma
- to prevent post-exercise inflammation