About 4 months ago I spoke with some people on the forums, and if the heat is the same temperature from any of the devices then they will have the same result, so you just have to find what is best for you. Also while talking with some people on the forums, the whole IR lamp doesn’t matter because all the heat sources are infrared.
Basically you’re right, but:
1. Ultrasound is different, cause it has some other effects on tissues besides heating (it softens collagen tissues)
2. IR lamp has far more powerful IR radiation than any normal source of heat. Every other heating method gives heat away mostly via conduction. Radiation is secondary way and in most cases less significant. In order to get the same IR radiation from towel, it shall be glowing red hot as does the IR lamp. IR lamp matters because it can heat the thing while staying away (while it’s in vacuum tube for example) and it heats deeper. In preheating the effect is the same, but IR lamp heats from one side only. So I use hot water for preheating and IR lamp while pumping.
Started: oct 2007 with 11.8 cubic inches
Currently: apr 2008 12.8 cubic inches
Objective: >20 cubic inches