{"title":"Thermotherapy in Dudelange","content":"**Infrared-lamp thermotherapy applies dosed heat to a muscle or joint region, at 30 to 50 cm, for 15 to 30 minutes. At the Pôle Equilibre & Santé practice, Bloc A, 48 Rue de la Libération in Dudelange, it prepares active work or [manual therapy](/dudelange/competence/therapie-manuelle). It is not a treatment for a disc herniation, nor a stand-alone care.**\n\n## Parameters: distance, duration, sensation\n\nInfrared light heats deeper than a pack placed on the surface. The lamp is placed at **30–50 cm**. Exposure lasts **15 to 30 minutes**, often fifteen to twenty minutes at the opening of the session. The instruction is comfortable warmth, never a burn. You stay dressed over the area or slightly uncovered, depending on the region. The physiotherapist frames the beam and stays within earshot.\n\nRemove bulky metal jewellery under the lamp if you are asked to. Mention a sensory disorder, a skin graft, a recent scar. A light meal is enough; drink a little if the skin feels tight afterwards.\n\n## When the lamp is not switched on\n\nWe avoid still-hot acute inflammation (a recent sprain, a swollen joint), damaged skin, a wound, an infection, a sensory disorder (risk of not feeling a burn), fever, and certain recently irradiated areas according to medical advice. In those situations we go straight to movement, or to [electrotherapy](/dudelange/equipement/electrotherapie) if it is useful. Heat on a 24-hour lesion can increase swelling.\n\n## Short-lived comfort, not disc treatment\n\nTrials on heat wraps (Nadler et al., *Spine*, 2002) and later reviews (Freiwald et al., *Journal of Pain Research*, 2021) show transient relief of mild to moderate low-back pain. The Cochrane review by French et al. (2006) on superficial heat and cold for back pain concludes in the same spirit: possible short-term comfort, limited evidence. Heat is not a treatment for a disc herniation. It does not prevent recurrence.\n\nAt the practice, it serves to follow with mobilisation and exercises while the tissues are more supple. Without that work, the comfort window closes within a few hours.\n\n## After the heat\n\nDuring exposure, slight drowsiness is possible. During the exercises that follow, sharp pain is not to be pushed through because the area is warm: we dose. Driving is generally possible. If the session has relaxed you to the point of drowsiness, wait a few minutes before getting back behind the wheel. Heat does not authorise maximal physical effort the same day, nor a return to sport.\n\nResults: suppleness and comfort **the same day**, sometimes the next morning. Chronic low-back pain is judged over weeks of exercise. The lamp is not a subscription.\n\n## Frequently asked questions\n\n\nHow should I prepare and what should I wear?
\n\nClothing easy to uncover over the area, prescription, mention fragile skin, a sensory disorder, fever or a recent lesion. Remove bulky jewellery under the lamp.\n\n \n\n\nHow long does one stay under the lamp?
\n\nOften fifteen to twenty minutes, sometimes up to thirty, at 30–50 cm, at the opening of the session. Then the active work begins.\n\n \n\n\nCan heat worsen inflammation, and is there a burn risk?
\n\nOn an acute lesion it is contraindicated. The assessment distinguishes a hot phase from a stiff phase. Burn risk is low at the right distance, under supervision: you should feel only pleasant warmth. Say so if it stings.\n\n \n\n\nWhat if it hurts during the exercises that follow?
\n\nHeat does not cancel the instructions. Sharp pain stops or lowers the exercise. The lamp’s effect lasts a few hours at most.\n\n \n\n\nCan I drive, and when can I resume sport or work?
\n\nDriving is generally possible. If you are drowsy, wait. Desk work: according to pain. Sport and physical jobs: heat is not a return-to-play criterion.\n\n \n\n\nWhat timelines for results, and is it reimbursed?
\n\nComfort during the session, sometimes the next day. Low-back pain that truly changes: weeks of exercise. On medical prescription, the [CNS](https://cns.public.lu/) covers the session according to the usual rules. The practice handles the paperwork. See [the physiotherapy consultation](/dudelange/kinesitherapie/consultation-kine).\n\n \n\n\nHow can I book an appointment?
\n\nBy phone on [+352 26 65 15 33](tel:+35226651533). Practice at Bloc A, 48 Rue de la Libération, L-3511 Dudelange — [Contact & access](/dudelange/contact).\n\n \n\n## Find out more\n\n- [Electrotherapy](/dudelange/equipement/electrotherapie)\n- [Manual therapy](/dudelange/competence/therapie-manuelle)\n- [Our equipment](/dudelange/equipement)\n\n"}