Thermotherapy
Make the switch from Cryotherapy and turn the Heat up to recover faster
Thermotherapy, also known as heat therapy, is a treatment method used to accelerate muscle recovery and alleviate discomfort by applying heat to injured or sore areas. This can be done through heat pads, hot water bottles, warm baths/spas, or even saunas/steam rooms. The key idea behind thermotherapy is that heat helps relax muscles, increase circulation, and promote healing.
How Thermotherapy Works
When heat is applied to muscles, blood vessels dilate (expand), allowing blood flow to increase to the affected areas. This brings in essential nutrients and oxygen that aids in tissue repair and removes metabolic waste that can contribute to muscle soreness. Heat also helps reduce muscle stiffness and improve flexibility, which can be particularly useful after physical exertion or injury. Heat has recently been in the spotlight for proving it’s worth in replacing cryotherapy for the treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in athletes. You can read more about that by clicking here.
Physiological Benefits
Thermotherapy is especially beneficial for treating delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and muscle fatigue. Heat therapy can significantly reduce discomfort and enhance recovery by promoting circulation and delivery of vital oxygen/nutrients. For chronic conditions or injuries caused by overuse, such as back pain or joint stiffness, regular heat therapy can help alleviate long-term discomfort by loosening tight muscles and improving mobility. For acute and soft-tissue injuries, heat therapy can boost the stages of healing while reducing pain and discomfort.
Practical Use for Athletes
Athletes often use thermotherapy before exercise to warm up muscles, reduce the risk of injury, and improve flexibility. After a workout or competition, it can soothe muscle soreness and accelerate the recovery of explosive strength (a key performance indicator for field athletes). While Cryotherapy is primarily used for pain relief and reducing excessive inflammation, heat therapy can also enhance the initial phase of healing (inflammatory phase) and which leads to optimal muscle recovery and healing. If you are an athlete who is consistently managing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), hot water immersion is the new recommendation to recover your explosive strength as it is faster than cryotherapy.