Heat Treatment - Sports Injury Treatment

When should heat treatment be used?

Heat treatment should not be used immediately after an injury as this will increase body temperature and increase bleeding in the surrounding area. Heat treatment will be beneficial 48 hours after the injury and during rehabilitation. The heat treatment should be warm rather than hot.

Types of heat treatment

Common types of heat treatment include heat pads, deep heat creams and lotions, heat lamps and hot water bottles.

Effects of heat treatment

Heat treatments ease muscular pains and aches and help to increase blood flow the affected area by causing the blood vessels to expand; heat can also prevent muscle spasms.

Precautions

The heat treatment should not be too hot, as this may lead to the skin being burnt. Heat treatments should not be used on damaged skin or on areas where circulation is poor. People with diabetes should not be treated using either heat or cold treatments.

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