How long should physical therapy heat lamp be used each day?

In general, the duration of physiotherapy heat lamp sessions should be adjusted according to specific circumstances. For routine wellness purposes, 15–20 minutes per day is recommended; for therapeutic use, sessions should not exceed 30 minutes. The key principle is to maintain mild and moderate exposure to avoid tissue damage. Detailed recommendations are as follows:

For routine wellness applications—such as preventing neck, shoulder, back, or leg pain or promoting muscle relaxation—a daily session of 15–20 minutes is sufficient. This duration effectively improves local blood circulation and relieves muscle tension without causing skin damage from excessive heat accumulation. In therapeutic situations, such as alleviating chronic inflammation or supporting postoperative recovery, the duration may be extended to 20–30 minutes, but must never exceed 30 minutes. Prolonged exposure can lead to skin redness, dryness, or even worsen local tissue congestion. Regardless of the scenario, the lamp should always be positioned 30–50 cm away from the body, and direct contact with the skin should be avoided.

Continuous treatment on the same area should not exceed seven days. If any skin discomfort occurs, treatment should be paused immediately. Always adjust usage based on personal comfort and adhere to the principle of gentle and effective therapy.