Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH) as Adjuvant Therapy for Chronic Dorsalgia and Analgesic Abuse
Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH) as Adjuvant Therapy for Chronic Dorsalgia and Analgesic Abuse
Published: 2025-10-14 | Last Reviewed: 2025-10-14
1. WBH in Multimodal Pain Therapy for Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Mild Whole-Body Hyperthermia (WBH), often mediated by water-filtered Infrared-A (IR-A), serves as an effective adjuvant component in *stationary multimodal pain therapy* for patients suffering from *chronic non-specific low back pain (Dorsalgia)* [2]. By inducing controlled, therapeutic heat, WBH supports muscle relaxation, improves local perfusion, and provides an important, non-pharmacological pathway for managing pain, particularly in cases involving *analgesic abuse* [1].
Clinical Evidence and Application
The role of WBH in treating chronic back pain is supported by focused clinical evaluations:
- *Multimodal Integration:* A dedicated evaluation confirmed that *mild WBH* combined with stationary multimodal pain therapy showed positive outcomes in patients with *chronic non-specific lumbar back pain* [2].
- *Addressing Analgesic Abuse:* Studies have specifically explored the application of wIRA hyperthermia in patients presenting with *analgesic abuse* due to chronic back pain, suggesting its role as a necessary intervention to reduce pharmacological dependency [1].
- *Mechanism:* The physical effects of heat—muscle relaxation and increased local circulation—are central to its efficacy in managing this type of musculoskeletal pain.
Overview of recommended WBH sessions with von Ardenne Iratherm 1000 WBH wIRA device and target temperatures
Treatments shall only be performed after final consultation with a medical doctor
| Indication | No. of sessions | Target temperature | Therapy time Increase phase Plateau phase | Rest time Resting phase | Total WBH session time | |
| Dorsalgia | 6 | 38.4 °C | 60 min | 30 min | ~ 90 min | |
| 45 min | 15 min | |||||
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can WBH help patients with chronic back pain who abuse painkillers?
Yes. wIR-A hyperthermia has been successfully applied to patients with *analgesic abuse* resulting from chronic back pain, providing an effective physical therapy alternative to help manage pain [1].
Can Whole-Body Hyperthermia with wIRA be used for other pathologies?
Yes. Other benefits and areas of application of Whole Body Hyperthermia include Oncology, accelerated metabolism , stimulation of the hormonal system , reduction in muscle tone , enhanced nerve conduction, Systemic sclerosis, Depressive episode, Essential (primary) hypertension, Dorsalgia, Fibromyalgia, Ankylosing spondylitis
A more detailed list of studies and effects ( (from foundational studies on wIRA technology to crucial Phase III clinical trials) can be found here
von Ardenne Iratherm 10000 WBH wIRA hyperthermia-device-summary
References (E-E-A-T)
- Weller E., Ullrich D.
Infrarot-A-Hyperthermie-Anwendung bei Patienten mit Analgetica-Abusus wegen chronischer Rückenschmerzen.
Vortrag auf dem 95. Kongreß der Gesellschaft für Phys Med und Rehab 5.10.1990 - Ettrich U., Konrad B., Prate K., Seifert J., Krummenauer F.
Milde Ganzkörperhyperthermie in Kombination mit stationärer multimodal orientierter Schmerztherapie – Evaluation bei Patienten mit chronischem unspezifischem lumbalem Rückenschmerz.
Orthopäde 2014; 2:165-74
