Thermal Agents

Thermal agents are modalities that use the principles of heat transfer to provide pain relief, create relaxation, facilitate stretching, change blood flow, and change the cell's metabolism. There are thermal agents that use cold which are called cryotherapy agents and there are thermal agents that use heat which are called thermotherapy agents. Some examples of cryotherapy agents include ice massage, vasocoolant spray, ice packs, cryocuff, and immersion baths. Some examples of thermotherapy agents are hot packs (hydrocollator packs), paraffin baths, diathermy, and ultrasound.