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Heat therapy, or thermotherapy, is an effective form of pain relief, rehabilitation and healing. Heat can soothe bodily aches and pains by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation. There are many forms of heat therapy, including body surface heat treatment with hot packs, water or infrared heat. Deep tissue heat applications include microwave and ultrasound therapy. Heat therapy is effective in treating many medical conditions, such as arthritis, edema and cancer.
Acne is a skin condition from which many people suffer. Some only encounter it in the teenage years, while others live with it their entire adult lives and are always looking for a treatment or cure. Heat therapy for acne, combined with light pulsing therapy, is considered an alternative to the traditional drug or lotion treatment route.
Often used for sports injuries, heat therapy, or thermotherapy, is now used for a wide range of other conditions. From cancer to muscle strain, heat therapy provides many benefits. Doctors are now utilizing heat therapy through various methods including body wraps. Heat therapy can improve conditions for patients by stimulating the function of certain areas of the body and providing pain relief.
Tendonitis, formally called tendinitis, can result for a variety of reasons, including injury, overuse and loss of elasticity that comes with aging, according to the National Institutes of Health. Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, which is what connects muscle to bone. Reducing inflammation will reduce pain and eventually the condition will go away.
As the body is subjected to the daily stress of work and other activities, it reacts by developing aches and inflammation. Ceramic heat therapy is a type of treatment that uses infrared rays coming from preheated ceramic stones to ease inflammation and relieve aching muscles and joints. It is an ancient technique that has found application in modern medicine, combining the latest heating technology.
Anyone who has enjoyed a sauna or jacuzzi knows how relaxing heat can be for sore muscles. When used properly, heat is one of nature's great medicines for muscular problems and tissues. And while we're used to thinking of heat as a treatment for a sore shoulder or wrist, it has other applications, including the abdomen.
Raw rice can be used to make homemade, reusable heating pads to relieve pain from muscle soreness, period cramps, knee pain and other problems. Rice bags are safer than electric heating pads because they lose their heat gradually, whereas electric heating pads can catch fire during use or cause a drop in blood pressure if used for too long. Rice bags can also be infused with herbal scents for aromatherapy.
Neuropathy is a general medical term used to describe any sort of disease, condition, or abnormality of the nervous system. Neuropathy is often caused by degenerative diseases such as diabetes, and a number of treatments and therapies are still being tested and perfected to help in these cases. One of these treatments is infrared heat therapy.
Confusion is common about whether heat or cold will give the best results for a sports-related or in-home injury, especially since both will help temporarily relieve pain. The use of heat or cold therapy depends on whether the pain is acute or chronic. A sprained ankle from a misstep on the stairs is an acute, sudden and painful injury. Recurring knee discomfort after every jogging session is considered chronic. Which should be used, moist heat or an ice pack, and when?
Thermotherapy utilizes heat and cold to ease the pain in joints affected by arthritis. Cold numbs the area and reduces swelling. Heat will relax the muscles surrounding the joint; however, heat can exacerbate swelling. Thermotherapy will not prevent episodes of arthritis pain (often called "flares"), but it can lessen the chance of a flare, as well as the intensity. Heat therapy can include warming clothes in the dryer before dressing, resting beneath an electric blanket, or sitting in a warm spa or sauna. Cold therapy can include ice packs, cooling pads, or a dip in a cool-water tub.
Heat therapy is commonly used to not only reduce pain and inflammation, but also make movement easier. With heat therapy, a source of heat is applied to the affected area and typically left for 20 to 30 minutes. Although heat can be applied to many areas of the body, keep certain considerations in mind when preparing for heat therapy. If you are applying heat therapy to the whole leg, choose a method that allows the entire leg to be completely relaxed during the therapy session.
Constipation is a common gastrointestinal problem that results in infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, or straining during bowel movements. It is usually a temporary condition that can be treated in several different ways. Chronic constipation sufferers sometimes seek alternative treatments in addition to traditional methods because the condition is so uncomfortable.
Heat lamp therapy is a treatment used in physical therapy. Heat therapies (also called hyperthermia) using a heat lamp can promote wound healing and general comfort. Patients should be tested for skin sensitivity when applying a heat lamp. Overexposure can cause burns.
Moist heat therapy is used on a daily basis by many to relieve aches and pains. It is literally amazing what it can do in just a matter of a few minutes. If you have ever used it then you know what I'm saying is true. The best news of all is that it's readily available at a moments notice.
Heat therapy, also known as hyperthermia or thermotherapy, is a form of cancer treatment characterized by either an internal or external exposure to a substance that increases the temperature of the body. Often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, it's believed that raising the temperature of the affected area can increase the efficacy of both radiation and chemotherapy drugs, or even lessen any associated symptoms of the disease. Some people do respond favorably to heat therapy, though it's still considered an alternative form of treatment.
