![]() ![]() TRPV1 and TRPV2 channels are sensitive to noxious heat, while TRPV4 channels are sensitive to normal physiological heat. These channels are part of a family of receptors called TRPV receptors. This generates action potentials that increases stimulation of sensory nerves and causes the feeling of heat in the brain. These channels respond to heat by increasing intracellular calcium. The effect of heat on pain is mediated by heat sensitive calcium channels. During periods of heat stress, increasing core and skin temperatures lead to reflexive increases in sympathetic active vasodilator nerve activity to increase skin blood flow. VC = vasoconstriction, VD = vasodilatationĭuring periods of hypothermia, falling core and skin temperatures lead to reflexive increases in sympathetic active vasoconstrictor nerve activity to reduce skin blood flow and conserve body heat. These dual sympathetic neural control mechanisms affect the major aspects of thermoregulatory responses over most of the human body’s surface.įigure 2: Skin blood flow responses to cold stress and heat stress. Skin blood flow is controlled by two branches of the sympathetic nervous system: a noradrenergic vasoconstrictor system and a cholinergic active vasodilator system. ![]() The application of ice may be useful for a variety of musculoskeletal pains, yet the evidence for its efficacy should be established more convincingly. ![]() However, there are still some doubts whether it is actually effective for chronic pain relief. It reduces the swelling, and improves the range of motion. In the literature, cryotherapy (ice application) is described as an effective treatment for soft tissue injuries. Cold Ĭooling is achieved using ice packs, ice baths, cooling gel packs, cold air and sprays. The hydrostatic effect may also relieve pain by reducing peripheral oedema and by dampening sympathetic nervous system activity. In addition, the warmth may enhance blood flow and muscle relaxation. It gives positive effects on cutaneous barrier homeostasis and a anti-inflammatory activity. The warmth of water may block nociception by acting on thermal receptors and mechanoreceptors, thus influencing spinal segmental mechanisms. Heat can be induced in the deeper tissues through electrotherapy ( ultrasound, shockwave and infrared radiation).Įxercise in warm water, usually called hydrotherapy, aquatherapy or balneotherapy, is a popular and effective treatment with a pain relief effect for many patients with painful neurologic or musculoskeletal conditions. Heating of superficial tissues can be achieved using hot packs, wax baths, towels, sunlight, saunas, heat wraps, steam baths/rooms. Therefore, patient’s preference can be taken into consideration when deciding which thermotherapy tool to use. the decreased metabolic rate limits further injury and aids the tissue in surviving the cellular hypoxia that occurs after injury.įigure 1: Pathophysiologic effects of topical modalities īoth applications can reduce the pain, but the question of when to use which application is still debated. At joint temperatures of 30☌ or lower, the activity of cartilage degrading enzymes, including collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and protease, is inhibited. The tissue metabolism will decrease just like the neuronal excitability, inflammation, conduction rate and tissue extensibility. ![]() It will be followed by a vasodilatation which will prevent against hypoxic damage (hunting reflex: If the cold pack is left on the skin for more than 10 minutes, the blood vessels will dilatate). Heat increases oxygen uptake and accelerates tissue healing, it also increases the activity of destructive enzymes, such as collagenase, and increases the catabolic rate.īy decreasing the temperature of the skin/soft tissue, the blood flow decreases by vasoconstriction. The metabolic rate and the tissue extensibility will also increase. The majority of thermotherapies are designed to deliver the thermal therapy to a target tissue volume with minimal impact on intervening or surrounding tissues.īy increasing the temperature of the skin/soft tissue, the blood flow increases by vasodilatation. The goal of thermotherapy is to alter tissue temperature in a targeted region over time for the purpose of inducing a desired biological response. Thermotherapy can be used in rehabilitation facilities or at home. Using ice or heat as a therapeutic intervention decreases pain in joint and muscle as well as soft tissues and they have opposite effects on tissue metabolism, blood flow, inflammation, oedema and connective tissue extensibility. Cryotherapy and thermotherapy are useful adjuncts for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and soft tissue injuries. Thermotherapy consists of application of heat or cold (cryotherapy) for the purpose of changing the cutaneous, intra-articular and core temperature of soft tissue with the intention of improving the symptoms of certain conditions. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |