Heat Therapy to Increase Circulation

Heat Therapy – Time-tested Injury Treatment

Veterinarians assert that another time-tested method of physical treatment is thermal therapy, or the application of heat therapy to increase circulation, decrease pain and reduce muscle spasms. The result is muscle relaxation following an injury.

Local heat application stimulates local circulation by dilation of blood vessels. This increased local blood flow helps to mobilize tissue metabolites and increase tissue oxygenation, thus raising the metabolic rate of cells and enzyme systems. These factors are very beneficial for wound healing and other soft tissue injuries.

Edema Reduction

Edema reduction is another common reason for heat application in horses. Increased blood flow will promote resorption of extra tissue fluid. A massage with a water source may also help reduce tissue swelling.

Pain Reduction

Heat application can also reduce pain. The stimulation of heat receptors blocks stimuli from pain receptors. In effect, heat may also act as a counter-stimulus to pain, making pain less noticeable. One of the great benefits of heat application is the reduction of muscle spasms. Increased muscle temperature results in decreased firing of muscle spindles. The decreased spindle firing helps to break cycles of pain spasms.

Heat Treatment – Best Applied After Acute Inflammation

Heat is best applied after acute inflammation has subsided – usually no sooner than 48 to 72 hours after an injury. Heat is also useful for reducing muscle spasm and pain due to muscles injuries.

Heat Therapy for Increased Mobility

Heat therapy can be used to increase joint and tendon mobility, particularly when the tissues are heated before active stretching. Heat application may be beneficial for accelerating the heating response of localized soft tissue injuries to reduce limb swelling.