Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Physical Modalities, Orthoses, Assistive Devices, and Manipulation

Indications for heat are to provide analgesia, contracture reduction, decrease joint stiffness, increase collagen elasticity, and hyperemia in the setting of a chronic injury. The use of heat as a therapeutic modality is based on the physical properties of conduction, convection, conversion, and radiation. The therapeutic range of heat is 40–45 °C and is commonly maintained for about 5–30 min [1].