[Thermotherapy in rheumatic diseases]

Heat and cold treatment are often used in the physical therapy of rheumatic diseases. Thermotherapy influences perfusion, muscular tone, pain, and inflamed arthritic joints. Cold applications are preferable in treating active arthritis. Heat treatment is advantageous in the management of less active arthritis and non-inflammatory rheumatic disorders. Current investigations demonstrate that thermotherapy influences the endocrine--an immune systems.