Diagnosis and treatment methods relating to application of external heat

Abstract

A method for treating conditions responsive to heat therapy and monitoring such treatments to determine efficacy. The method includes the step of diagnosing a patient to determine if heat therapy is a proper treatment. If so, then the steps of applying heat therapy and monitoring at least one parameter associated with the patient is performed. The data collected is then trended to determine the efficacy of the heat therapy. If the efficacy indicates that the therapy is beneficial, then the steps of applying therapy, monitoring the at least one parameter, and trending the data are repeated. The heat therapy is performed by a thermal pad that applies heat with a controlled temperature to a body portion of the patient. The at least one parameter is selected from the set including perfusion index, blood oxygenation, pulse rate, local skin temperature, body core temperature, heat therapy temperature, and/or ambient temperature

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