Today's Daily Dose: Thermotherapy
When, why, and how to use this physical therapy modality.
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“Thermotherapy is generally used to reduce pain from arthritis and muscle spasms, and to prepare tissues for exercise or stretching. Heat can be applied by hot packs, infrared light, hydrotherapy and therapeutic ultrasonography. Thermotherapy can result in vasodilation with secondary increased local circulation, a decrease in pain, relaxed muscle tone, reduced muscle spasm, and an increase in tissue extensibility, cellular metabolism and local tissue oxygenation. It should not be used in patients with impaired thermal sensation, recent hemorrhage, malignancy or acute inflammation.”
-Janet Van Dyke, DVM
From Exploring physical therapy modalities in veterinary rehabilitation
