The Superiority of Moist Heat Therapy in Chiropractic Care: A Research-Based Perspective

Back pain is a widespread ailment that affects millions of individuals globally, prompting a continual search for effective relief methods. Among these, heat therapy stands out for its therapeutic benefits.

However, there is an ongoing debate regarding the efficacy of moist heat therapy compared to dry heat therapy.

In this article, we will look into the research behind the use of moist heat in addressing back pain, particularly within a chiropractic setting, and its superiority over dry heat therapy.

The Mechanisms and Modalities of Heat Therapy

Heat therapy plays a crucial role in numerous medical and therapeutic treatments. The primary benefits include its ability to enhance blood flow, relax muscles, and alleviate pain (Kim et al., 2020).

When heat is applied to the body, it causes vasodilation, a process that dilates blood vessels. This dilation improves blood circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and essential nutrients more efficiently to injured tissues.

Additionally, it assists in the removal of metabolic waste products, thereby accelerating the healing process.

There are two main types of heat therapy: moist heat and dry heat.

Moist heat therapy utilises methods such as moist heat packs, steamed towels, or warm baths. These methods introduce moisture to the heat application, which enhances its ability to penetrate deeper into muscle tissues.

Conversely, dry heat therapy involves the use of electric heating pads or dry heat packs, which provide heat without moisture.

While both forms aim to alleviate pain and improve mobility, their effectiveness can vary.

Comparing the Benefits of Moist and Dry Heat Therapy

Recent studies highlight the superior efficacy of moist heat therapy when compared to dry heat therapy. Research published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that moist heat therapy significantly reduced pain and muscle stiffness more effectively than dry heat(Beyerman et al., 2006).

In this study, 252 patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group that received both chiropractic care and moist heat or a control group that received only moist heat. Across 20 treatment sessions, the  moist heat group reported greater and more rapid pain reduction and improvements in range of motion (ROM). They also showed more significant advancements in daily living activities in four out of nine areas measured compared to the treatment group.

The findings suggest that combining moist heat with additional therapies such as chiropractic care provides enhanced pain relief and functional improvements. This highlights the importance of treatment combinations for more effective management of low back pain compared to using moist heat alone.

Further supporting this, a study featured in Spine demonstrated that moist heat therapy penetrates deeper into muscle tissues, providing longer-lasting relief (Petrofsky et al., 2013). The added moisture improves thermal conductivity, enhancing heat absorption by muscle tissues. In contrast, dry heat tends to remain more on the surface, delivering less effective relief.

Advantages of Moist Heat Therapy

The findings from the aforementioned studies underscore several benefits that make moist heat therapy a preferred option in clinical settings:

• Deeper Heat Penetration: Moist heat allows better heat transfer to muscle tissues, leading to more effective pain relief.

• Enhanced Muscle Flexibility: By relaxing muscles more effectively, moist heat can improve flexibility, which is crucial for chiropractic adjustments.

• Reduced Risk of Skin Dehydration: Unlike dry heat, moist heat does not dehydrate the skin, thus minimising the risk of skin irritation.

In our chiropractic clinic in Adelaide, we have consistently observed these benefits among our patients. The application of moist heat prior to spinal adjustments has shown to augment the overall therapeutic outcome by mitigating muscle stiffness and discomfort.

Back Pain Alleviation with Moist Heat

The application of moist heat therapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from back pain.

According to a study published on ResearchGate, moist heat therapy not only improves vein visibility and palpability for patients undergoing intravenous cannulation but also suggests potential broader applications, including pain alleviation (George & Tadvi, 2022).

The study highlights that moist heat therapy contributes to muscle relaxation, blood vessel dilation, and connective tissue relaxation, which can be advantageous in the management of chronic lower back pain.

These findings emphasize that the longer-lasting effects of moist heat contribute to improved patient compliance and satisfaction, making it an effective method for pain reduction and muscle relaxation.

Conclusion

The evidence supporting the use of moist heat therapy over dry heat is compelling. As chiropractors, it is crucial to integrate scientifically validated methods into our practice to provide optimal care for our patients.

The superior efficacy of moist heat in reducing back pain, enhancing muscle flexibility, and promoting overall well-being, makes it an invaluable tool in chiropractic care.

For patients experiencing persistent back pain, moist heat therapy offers a promising avenue for relief. We encourage our patients to consider this approach as part of their comprehensive treatment plan.

References

1. Kim, K., Monroe, J. C., Gavin, T. P., & Roseguini, B. T. (2020). Local heat therapy to accelerate recovery after Exercise-Induced muscle damage. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 48(4), 163–169. https://doi.org/10.1249/jes.0000000000000230

2. Beyerman, K. L., Palmerino, M. B., Zohn, L. E., Kane, G. M., & Foster, K. A. (2006). Efficacy of treating low back pain and dysfunction secondary to osteoarthritis: chiropractic care compared with moist heat alone. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 29(2), 107–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.10.005

3. Petrofsky, J. S., Berk, L., Bains, G., Khowailed, I. A., Hui, T., Granado, M., Laymon, M., & Lee, H. (2013). Moist heat or dry heat for delayed onset muscle soreness. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. https://doi.org/10.4021/jocmr1521w

4. George, R., & Tadvi, H. (2022). Effectiveness of moist heat therapy on the visibility and palpability of peripheral veins before peripheral venous cannulation among patients undergoing intravenous cannulation. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 13(S01). https://doi.org/10.47750/pnr.2022.13.s01.217