The therapeutic use of local heat and cold.
Thermotherapy and cryotherapy are often valuable in the treatment of pain, inflammation and muscle spasm. Safe use of available modalities depends on specific knowledge of their contraindications. The choice of method requires an understanding of the physiological effects of heat and cold. The choice of any individual thermal modality depends on several factors including size of the area to be treated, ease of application, affordability, duration of application and depth of penetration.