Fomentation (Heat Therapy)
Fomentation, the application of moist heat, provides comfortable heat which brings soothing relief to many patients suffering from back pain, spasm, bursitis, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Heat also acts as a sedative to irritated nerves and induces relaxation and freer movement of muscles and ligaments. In addition to its healing benefits, moist heat increases circulation to the injured area and helps make movement and stretching easier and less painful.
Heat therapy also has a soothing and relaxing effect on the type of muscle spasms and contractures often seen in low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and some spinal disc problems.
