which allows deep heating. Heat penetrates deep into the tissues, improves blood flow, stimulates nerve fibers, thereby increasing the rate of transmission of nerve impulses through the fibers, leading to increased temperature in deeper tissues.

The latter leads to:

• improved local blood flow (vasodilation)
• increased permeability of cell membranes
• increased concentrations of white blood cells and antibodies
• increased resorption of toxins
• muscle relaxation
• reduced tension in collagen tissue (improves elasticity)
• reduced pain