Abstract

MATERIAL AND METHODS OF DIFFERENT HEAT THERAPY

Dr. Harish Daga*, Dr. Sonal Raval, Dr. Hemant Toshikhane and Dr. Nilesh Jethava

Abstract

Heat therapy is also called thermo therapy, where heat is used for therapeutic purpose; the technique is practiced majorly for pain relief and rehabilitation. The concept of heat therapy was in practiced since early human civilization with various modifications the same concept is in force even today. The early history of heat therapy, when it was used for a number of reasons can be traced back thousands of year to ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese civilization, and Ayurveda as a valid treatment for various ailments. As the advancement of time there are so many therapeutic processes which can be performed by the use of direct or indirect heat. Sun bath, Agnikarma, Swedana, Moxibustion, Tau-dam, kaii/Wasm, Fire therapy, Akabane, Metsa, hot needling, Fire cupping, Banki, Hot stone, Sauna therapy, Cauterization, Hot lamp, Parafine wax, Hot bottles, Fluidotherapy, Herbal transdermal ionization, dip and wrap therapy, Sitz bath, Diathermy, Laser, Maser etc. are the therapies which belongs to heat therapies in different health care systems. Presumably, trial and error discovered some combinations of heat source and physical complaint worked better than others. Such treatments were described as early as some of the Egyptian papyrus writings. Additional study continued into the Renaissance period but largely fell away with the discovery of electricity and the subsequent fascination with its mysteries. In this article all these therapy has been compiled & classified in different manner with their source, method, mode, & penetration of heat. Agnikarma therapy is widely practiced in Ayurvedic system was also reviewed in different manner.

Keywords: Agnikarma, Moxibustion, Tau-dam, kaii/Wasm, Akabane, Metsa, Fire cupping, Banki, Hot stone, Sauna therapy, Cauterization, Hot lamp, Parafine wax, Hot bottles, Fluidotherapy, Diathermy, Laser, Maser.