<p>Physical and medical therapies are systematically divided into balneotherapy and climatotherapy, electrotherapy, light or phototherapy, mechanotherapy and thermotherapy. All of these modalities are aimed at treating pain and functional limitations in the musculoskeletal system and all other organ systems, as well as the resulting limitations in mobility and participation. This literature review focuses on thermotherapy, which by definition refers to therapeutic measures involving the application of heat or cold for healing purposes.</p>