Heat therapy uses controlled superficial or deep heating to reduce muscle spasm, increase tissue extensibility, improve local circulation, and promote pain relief. Common forms include hot packs, paraffin baths, infrared heat, and diathermy (shortwave/ultrasound-based thermal techniques). At Back To Life, heat is applied with clear clinical indications and safety screening as part of a multimodal rehabilitation plan.
Superficial moist heat applied via hot packs or hydrocollator for 10–20 minutes to reduce muscle tension and pain before manual therapy or exercises.
Localised heat for hands and feet to improve soft tissue pliability and relieve stiffness in small joints.
Comfortable superficial heating useful for tissue warming and symptom relief where direct contact is impractical.
Shortwave or microwave diathermy provides deeper heating for large muscle groups or deeper soft tissues under clinician supervision and protocols.
Heat therapy is indicated for subacute/chronic muscle spasm, stiffness limiting movement, pre-treatment tissue preparation for stretching or manual therapy, and to temporarily reduce pain enabling active rehabilitation. Benefits include reduced pain, improved range of motion, and facilitation of therapeutic exercises.
Do NOT apply heat over: areas of acute inflammation where heat may increase swelling, active infection, areas with impaired sensation, open wounds, recent hemorrhage, and suspected malignancy. Use caution with impaired circulation or diabetic neuropathy — clinician screening mandatory.
Hot pack: 10–20 minutes; check skin every 5 minutes. Paraffin: 6–12 dips, 15–20 minutes wrap. Infrared: distance & time per lamp specs. Diathermy: only by trained clinician — device-specific dosing and monitoring required.
Always screen for sensation, circulation, bleeding risk and pregnancy. Protect bony prominences, avoid direct skin contact with very hot surfaces, and never leave an at-risk patient unattended during heating.