Based on the article Cold & Heat Therapy, by Patrick Herbots, DVM
In order to optimize function and reduce any existing disability in horses Equine Bodywork Therapist uses a variety of techniques, including cold and heat therapy.
Typically, this therapy works on a 1:3 cold to heat ratio. First, apply cold for one minute, then heat for three minutes, for a duration of 20 minutes.
In the previous post we talked about cold treatment, now let’s have a look at superficial heat.
SUPERFICIAL HEAT
Heat treatment promotes blood flow and helps muscles relax. Use for chronic pain. Typical recommendations for heat therapy are to delay application until at least 48 hrs after injury.
EFFECTS: Increases tissue temperature up to 3cm of depth. Increase metabolism of target tissues. Increases blood flow to the area, improving oxygenation and toxin removal. Increases tissue extensibility, thus decreasing joint stiffness and facilitating elongation of tendons if applied during stretching exercises. Tissue extensibility can be improved because of local heating; heat is an excellent precursor to stretching. The thermal effect of superficial heat reaches a depth of up to 3cm. If heating of tissues deeper than 3cm is indicated, therapeutic ultrasound should be considered, as it can affect tissues up to a 5 cm depth.
INDICATIONS: Subacute and chronic phases of healing, moist heat can improve circulation thereby increasing local metabolism, resulting in improved oxygenation and toxin removal. Decreases pain sensation. An increase in cutaneous blood flow will promote wound healing.
CONSIDERATIONS: Typical treatment time is 20 min. When stretching is the treatment goal, stretching should begin during or immediately after heating as the effect is short lived. Depending on the heat source, one or several towels are placed between the hot pack and skin to prevent burning. When using any heating modality, it is important to understand the depth of penetration of the heat produced. Superficial heating agents should be combined with exercise to provide a deep heating effect. Only ultrasound penetrates through the skin to the deeper structures such as joints, bursa, tendons, and muscles.
C/I: Decreased sensation; over an area of compromised circulation.
MODALITIES TO USE:
HYDROCOLLATOR HOT PACKS: these packs can become very hot 50-60°C, heavy toweling should be used between these packs and horse and another layer should be used to cover the pack to delay its cooling. Dry heat can raise surface temperatures to a greater degree, but moist heat can penetrate to a slightly deeper level of tissue.
NYLON-COVERED GEL WRAP: The wrap was heated to 40°C and applied circumferentially to the metacarpal region and was left in place for 30 min. The heat-treated leg will be 5°C warmer. The heat application also increasing the hoof temperature by 1.7°C.
SINGLE LEG WHIRLPOOLS: The water temperature should be between 40-45°C. If a tank is used, it must be plastic or rubber, never metal, to avoid shock hazard. The motor should be grounded and protected with a ground fault interrupter at the wall plug. For muscle soreness add 2 cups of EPSOM Salts to a bucked of warm water. Soak towels in the water, wring them out and place them on the sore area. The magnesium in EPSOM salts is an excellent muscle relaxant and sedative for the nervous system. An iodine concentrate added to the water will reduce the possibility of transmitting infections and aid in cleansing abraded skin.
MICROWAVEABLE HOT PACKS.
INSTANT HEATING PACKS.
ULTRASOUND FOR DEEP HEATING: Therapeutic ultrasound can be used to increase tissue temperature at depths ranging from 3-5 cm, without overheating the skin and superficial tissues. Sound waves create rapid oscillations that disrupt collagenous fibers and increase cell metabolism. Ultrasound combined with stretching exercises can elongate contracted fascia and reduce the restrictive effects of scar tissue.