One of the benefits of heat therapy is that you can apply it for longer than you can use ice. You also should not apply heat if your body is already hot - for example, if you’re sweating. Heat will make the swelling and pain worse, which is not what you want. That’s not to say putting heat on an injury is out of the question - however, never apply heat to a new injury that is still swelling. Doctors often recommend it to treat chronic muscle pain rather than a new injury - we’ll explain more about why later on. When to Use Heatīecause the goal of heat therapy is to soothe and heal damaged tissues, it’s best to use heat when you are dealing with muscle pain or soreness. If you opt to use an electric one, just make sure you don’t fall asleep while it’s on, or select one that has an automatic shutoff feature instead of remaining on until you switch it off. However, it can be messier, so it may not always be the best option.Īs an aside, there are many different kinds of heating pads out there. Of the two options, moist heat works faster, which means you won’t have to apply it as long as you would a dry heat. The exception to this, obviously, is a hot shower or sauna, which tend to target your whole body. Typically, when you’re using either form of heat therapy, you’ll only apply it to the specific part of your body that is in pain. Dry heat is the kind that comes from heating pads or saunas, while moist heat comes from sources like steam towels or a hot bath or shower. You can administer heat therapy in two different forms: dry heat or moist heat. There’s a reason so many people swear by a relaxing hot bath or a stint in a sauna to improve their overall health and well-being. Relying on heat to relax your muscles can also relieve a lot of pain caused by stress and anxiety, in addition to chronic conditions or injuries. Muscle tension can spiral into many other problems, including headaches, which also cause pain. Not only can heat calm pain flare-ups, but it is an excellent way to soothe muscle tension, stiffness and even chronic back pain. By increasing the temperature and improving circulation, heat can relax injured muscles, heal damaged tissues and improve flexibility. The goal of heat therapy is to improve circulation and blood flow to raise the temperature around a specific area that has been injured or is experiencing pain of some kind. Heat therapy is an excellent option because you can do it safely, effectively and easily at home. While there’s no substitute for consulting with a doctor when pain occurs, having the knowledge to treat yourself can help you to stay more comfortable while you’re waiting for an appointment. Knowing how to use these two options for pain relief can go a long way in easing your pain and improving your comfort, whether you’re dealing with an injury or an ongoing chronic condition. Not only that, but if you choose wrong, you can make your problem worse, instead of better. But, do you know when to ice muscles vs heat them? Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion out there over how to use them. And, if you’re like most people, you’ve likely got an ice pack stashed in your freezer and a heating pad tossed somewhere under your bathroom sink. Yes, we know most people are aware of this. Depending on the source of your pain - arthritis, a new injury or a grueling workout - ice, heat or both can go a long way toward relieving your pain and improving the overall quality of your life. That’s where ice and heat therapies come in. And, while modern medicine has produced a lot of reliable medications that are designed to help with various levels of pain, it’s not always necessary, or appropriate, to rely solely on medication to correct the problem. Whatever the reason for pain, one undeniable fact remains: No one wants to be in pain. However, pain is not something anyone needs to tolerate. Pain is our body’s way of telling us when something is wrong, whether it’s a new injury, a medical condition or the result of a long day on our feet. Whether it’s a headache, a torn ligament, a sprained ankle or sore muscles, pain is just a fact of life for many people. What’s better for inflammation, heat, or ice?Įveryone experiences pain.
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