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Heat in Physical Therapy

Physical therapists use a variety of heat therapies to speed healing of injured tissues and to alleviate pain. Heating pads and heat-creating surface irritants are available at drugstores, but a physical therapist has access to heat therapies that are available only in a therapeutic setting and can penetrate into the deeper tissues. Heat therapies include superficial heat treatments such as moist hot packs or immersion in hot water, as well as deep heating agents like ultrasound.

  1. Benefits

    • Heat increases healing blood flow to the site of injury, which helps damaged tissue repair itself faster. Heat also helps loosen up tight muscle fibers, so it is especially beneficial in a rehabilitation program when applied prior to stretching and exercising. Heat can also relieve muscle spasms and pain.

    Ultrasound

    • Ultrasound is a deep heating modality and the most effective heat treatment for the deeper muscle tissues and joints. Ultrasound heat improves the distensibility of connective tissue, which makes stretching the injured body part easier. Ultrasound heat is often applied prior to prolonged stretching or manual mobilization of the soft tissue by the physical therapist because it facilitates flexibility. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create mechanical heat within the tissue. The heat penetrates up to 1 1/2 inches below the surface of the skin, and the patient does not generally feel the heat to any great extent.

    Superficial Heat

    • Moist heat packs are often used to provide superficial heat to the injured area with the primary goal of reducing pain and inflammation. Moist heat packs also alleviate muscle spasm and promote overall relaxation. The superficial heat increases circulation to the site of injury. Superficial heat treatments are limited to a depth of about 1 to 2 cm.

    Hot Water Immersion

    • Many physical therapy facilities include a Jacuzzi or hot tub for hot water immersion. Hot water immersion creates beneficial heat all around the injured area and is especially effective as thermotherapy for larger areas of the body.

    Considerations

    • Heat therapy methods are considered passive modalities, which means they are applied while the patient is at rest and do not require any active participation by the patient. By contrast, exercise and stretching routines are active forms of physical therapy. Passive modalities like heat therapy promote healing and soothe pain, but cannot take the place of active forms of therapy. Heat therapy methods alone will not increase strength or range of motion. Patients should always keep up with the exercises and stretches their physical therapist has prescribed.

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