A role for superficial heat therapy in the management of non-specific, mild-to-moderate low back pain in current clinical practice: a narrative review

Freiwald J. ; Magni A. ; Fanlo-Mazas P. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Paulino E. ; de Medeiros L.S. ; Moretti B. ; Schleip R. ; Solarino G.

Resumen: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability. It significantly impacts the patient’s quality of life, limits their daily living activities, and reduces their work productivity. To reduce the burden of LBP, several pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options are available. This review summarizes the role of superficial heat therapy in the management of non-specific mild-to-moderate LBP. First, we outline the common causes of LBP, then discuss the general mechanisms of heat therapy on (LBP), and finally review the published evidence regarding the impact of superficial heat therapy in patients with acute or chronic non-specific LBP. This review demonstrates that continuous, low-level heat therapy provides pain relief, improves muscular strength, and increases flexibility. Therefore, this effective, safe, easy-to-use, and cost-effective non-pharmacological pain relief option is relevant for the management of non-specific mild or moderate low back pain in current clinical practice.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/life11080780

Año: 2021

Publicado en: Life 11, 8 (2021), 780 [13 pp.]
ISSN: 2075-1729

Factor impacto JCR: 3.253 (2021)

Categ. JCR: BIOLOGY rank: 39 / 94 = 0.415 (2021) - Q2 - T2

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 1.9 - Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Q3) - Earth and Planetary Sciences (Q3) - Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Q4)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.588 - Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous) (Q2) - Space and Planetary Science (Q2) - Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics (Q2)

Tipo y forma: Review (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Fisioterapia (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)