A system for delivering energy to a patient includes a stimulation pad including a first pair of electrodes adapted to be positioned on the patient and deliver energy to the patient, a second pair of electrodes adapted to be positioned on the patient and deliver energy to the patient, and a third pair of electrodes adapted to be positioned on the patient and deliver energy to the patient. The system further includes a stimulation control unit in communication with the first pair of electrodes, the second pair of electrodes, and the third pair of electrodes. The stimulation control unit, in a first time period, controls (i) the first pair of electrodes to take on a positive charge, (ii) the second pair of electrodes to take on a negative charge relative to the first pair of electrodes, and (iii) the third pair of electrodes to be neutral.

Method (40) for alternately applying hot and cold to an application surface, notably the epidermis of a user, with the aid of a device for alternately applying hot and cold comprising a first end piece and a second end piece.

According to the method, a hot temperature of between 35 C. and 48 C. is applied to the application surface by the first end piece for a period of between 2 min and 6 min, the application device is pivoted by at most a quarter turn, for a period of less than or equal to 5 seconds, and a cold temperature of between 0 C. and 15 C. is applied to the application surface by the second end piece for a period of between 2 min and 6 min.