A Better Use of Heat

“Be ready to take the heat”….


We all are sick of large doses of pills for treating several bodily conditions. Specially pain! And sometimes we are so busy in our routine that we do not pay attention to what harm the continuous use of pills to relieve pain is causing us. We want instant pain relief, to get back to work as soon as possible. Why not thinking of a better option?
It is called as the thermotherapy – the use of heat for health conditions, particularly pain relief.

Heat is often used to relieve pain instantly. It dialates the blood vessels of the area where heat is applied and eventually increases the blood circulation of the area. Low blood supply to the area is the reason behind pain due to accumulation of lactic acid. Increased blood supply means increased supply of oxygen and nutrients to the affected part. Heat stimulates the sensory receptors and reduces the pain signals transmission to the brain. Heating also provides a sedative effect to the body and the person feels relaxed after a few minutes of heat application. It helps loosen the tight muscles and helps in reducing muscle stiffness. Very importantly, heat promotes healing and flushing out of toxins.
Heat therapy can be used in the following forms:

Local heat:

·      Hot bottle
·      Heating pads
·      Heat wraps
·      Paraffin wax bath
·      Damp towels
·      Ultrasonic
·      Infrared radiations

Systemic heat

·      Sauna bath
·      Whirlpool bath
·      Hot bath
·      Steam
·      Hot shower

When to apply heat?

Heat is always more beneficial in chronic pain, which is persistent. It always is beneficial to apply on stiff muscles. There are positive effect of heating in muscle spasm. Any condition which is not inflammatory can be treated with heat. Even headaches and migraine. Heat provides an analgesic affect in the aching muscles and other parts of the body.
The extent of heat
The temperature used while heating a part of body is a matter of concern. It depends on the tolerance level of the individual and differs from person to person. Some prefer a lesser temperature on heat application while others prefer high. But there might be a condition in severe pain where the area is so painful that you unknowingly apply a very high temperature on your body, as happened with me while I suffered from low back ache. The body part is often burnt. So, just be careful about the temperature before you apply heat no matter how high the pain intensity is, always keep a suitable temperature of heat because it is going to give the same effects whether the temperature is high or low.

Types of heating

There are mainly two types of heating.
1. Superficial heating
2. Deep heating

Superficial heating as the name suggests, heats the overlying structures only where the heat is applied. It doesn’t reach the deep tissues as the underlying skin doesn’t allow it to penetrate and the penetration is approx. 1 cm

On the other hand deep heating penetrates the skin and reach the deeper tissues. The penetration is approx. 3-5 cm

The types of heat can also be differentiated as dry heat and moist heat. Moist heat is considered to be better as compared to the moist heat as it travels at a faster rate inside the tissues. And as a result pain relief at a faster rate.

 When not to apply heat?

Heat therapy should always be avoided in case of malignancy or tumors, skin allergies, impaired sensations, contact lenses, cardiac pacemakers, pregnancy, tuberculosis, open wounds and also if a metal is in contact with the skin.



Take care,

Jasrah.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SUBACROMIAL BURSITIS

Image
WHAT IS SUBACROMIAL BURSAE? Subacromial bursa is a sac like structure filled with fluid found in the shoulder joint. The subacromial bursa separates the rotator cuff muscles, particularly the supraspinatus muscle from the acromion process (a bony structure), the overlying coracoacromial ligament and deltoid muscle. The bursa provides a smooth movement of the shoulder joint and reduce friction. WHAT IS BURSITIS? Bursitis is the inflammation (irritation) of the bursa. The subacromial bursa is the most commonly inflamed bursa in the shoulder joint. Inflammation of the subacromial bursa becomes a cause of pain in performing activities and movements occurring at shoulder joint. It leads to a restricted movement at the joint due to pain while performing the motion. Hence, a restricted range of motion occurs. WHAT CAUSES SUBACROMIAL BURSITIS? ·          Injury to the shoulder ·         ...
Read more

SACROILIAC JOINT DYSFUNCTION

Image
WHAT IS SACROILIAC JOINT ? The Sacroiliac joint is the joint formed between the sacrum and the ilium located in the pelvis on each side of the lower spine. The joint is half synovial and half syndesmosis. Syndesmosis is a type of fibrous joint in which the intervening fibrous connective tissue form an interosseous membrane or ligament. Synovial potion of the joint is C shaped, with the convex iliac surface of the C facing anteriorly and inferiorly. The more acute the C the more stable the joint and the less the likelihood of the lesion to the joint. The sacral surface is slightly concave. The size and shape of the articular surfaces vary greatly among individuals. These surfaces are smooth in children.  They become rough in adults which allows them to fit in one another restricting the movements occurring at the joint and adds strength to the joints and transfer weight from lower limb to spine. The articular surface of the ilium is covered with fibrocartilage, the a...
Read more

TESTS FOR SACROILIAC JOINT DYSFYNCTION

Image
·            PROVOCATION TESTS 1.        GAENSLEN’S TEST: The gaenslen’s test stresses the sacroiliac joint, increased pain on the joint while performing the test is indicative of the sacroiliac joint dysfunction. -           The patient in lying on the couch in a side lying position with the affected leg hyperextended (hanging outside the couch). Patient flexes the other leg and holds knee to chest. The therapist stabilizes the pelvis while the extending the hip by holding it from distal thigh. The pain in the sacroiliac joint may be caused due to a sacroiliac joint pathology, lesion or dysfunction. -           The patient is lying supine (this position limits the amount of hyperextension at the hip) the affected leg is hanging out of the couch, the therapist puts one hand on the hyperextended leg from distal thi...
Read more