Heating? clinically relevant facts!

Heating? clinically relevant facts!

Reference:Hardy M, Woodall W. (1998),Therapeutic Effects of Heat, Cold, and Stretch on Connective Tissue . Journal of Hand Therapy (11): 148-156

Heat with simultaneous stretch has been shown to produce twice the gains in half the time compared to heat followed by stretch

Clinical Relevance: To regain the length of the hamstrings following a strain (resulting in scar tissue), have the patient perform a self stretch very gently, comfortably and sustained for 10 minutes while the heat is simultaneously applied…this is twice as effective as passively heating the hamstrings for 20 minutes and stretching afterwards

…this has to do with collagen tissue response to heat!

Posted on: February 13, 2002

Categories: Relevant Physical Therapy Articles