A heat patch and method for providing therapy to a body. The heat patch
includes a reflective layer and a heat source that is attached to the
reflective layer. The reflective layer reflects infrared energy emitted
by the body back into the body while the heat source applies heat to the
body. The combination of supplying heat and reflecting infrared energy
provides effective therapy to people with relatively deep tissue
injuries. In another aspect, the heat patch includes an enclosure made
from a gas-permeable layer and a reflective layer attached to the
gas-permeable layer. A heating composition is sealed inside the enclosure
to generate heat when a gas (e.g., air) is received through the
gas-permeable layer. The heat generated by the heating composition is
easily controlled such that heat patch can be maintained at a temperature
well above ambient temperature.