Thermal Agents

The use of heat and cold for therapeutic benefit is referred to as thermotherapy and cryotherapy, respectively. Heatingand cooling occur by energy transfer where heating is the transfer of energy toward the subject and cooling is the transfer of energy away from the subject. This energy transfer can occur by conduction, convection, radiation, or conversion for heating. Energy transfer by evaporation, immersion, and direct contact can occur for cooling. Both heating and cooling have beneficial effects at different stages of healing.