@article{jpm2015333,
author={{Petrofsky, Jerrold and Laymon, Michael and Alshammari, Faris and Khowailed, Iman Akef and Lee, Haneul},
title={Continuous Low Level Heat Wraps; Faster Healing and Pain Relief during Rehabilitation for Back, Knee and Neck Injuries},
journal={World Journal of Preventive Medicine},
volume={3},
number={3},
pages={61--72},
year={2015},
url={http://pubs.sciepub.com/jpm/3/3/3},
abstract={Back, knee and neck pain are the 3 most common disabilities found in outpatient physical therapy. In-clinic therapy is accomplished 2-3 times per week, which is far less than optimal in providing pain relief and healing. Home therapy and self-range of motion is limited by pain. Continuous low level heat wraps are sold over the counter and used to reduce pain. In this study, they were used to reduce pain before home exercise programs to see if this would increase compliance and healing during a 2 week therapy intervention. Two hundred and forty eight subjects participated. There were 3 control groups and 3 investigational groups. Two groups had diagnosed back pain, 2 with knee pain and 2 with neck pain. Subjects were followed for 2 weeks with 2 therapy sessions per week. Progress was measured by analog visual pain scales, range of motion, strength measurements and mobility questionnaires. The groups receiving 6 hours of continuous low level heat wraps per day had less pain each day, participated in significantly more home exercise and increased significantly more range of motion and strength than the control groups. Conclusion- Continuous heat wraps are an important adjunct to rehabilitation outpatient therapy, reducing pain and increasing recovery.},
doi={10.12691/jpm-3-3-3}
publisher={Science and Education Publishing}
}