Heat Therapy Right for Your Pain?

Back Pain

People suffering from lower back muscle strains or muscle spasms can benefit from heat therapy.

Osteoarthritis

Heat can help injuries lasting more than six weeks by increasing blood flow, relaxing muscles, and relieving joint pain from worn down cartilage.

Headaches

Heat wraps can halt neck spasms that contribute to headaches or migraines.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Heat treatments won’t prevent rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups, but warming the joints before exercise can help lessen inflammation and pain.

Fibromyalgia

Heating pads, warm baths or hot towel compresses can conduct heat to muscle tissue and sometimes reduce pain.

Side Effects

It is normal for skin to look a little pinker after using heat. Before turning the heat back on, let the skin return to its normal color and temperature. If there is purplish-red, dark red, or spotty red and white color (hives), along with swelling or blisters, call a doctor. These are signs the temperature was too extreme and may indicate skin damage. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call a doctor for medical advice about heat therapy.

To learn more about heat therapy, please visit WebMD or Spine Health