How Does Heat Treatment Help Relieve Arthritis Pain?
Is there anything you can do about the pain and stiffness of arthritis?
Perhaps you've heard that heat or cold therapy can help relieve pain and are wondering if it's worth giving them a try. Well, it is.
It may take a little "trial and error" to learn which therapy works best for your pain. But by staying with hot packs to get the most relief from pain and make it easier to manage arthritis. If pain persists, be sure to talk with your doctor.
How Does Heat Help Arthritis Pain?
Heat dilates the blood vessels, stimulates blood circulation, and reduces muscle spasms. In addition, heat alters the sensation of pain. You can use either dry heat such as heating pads or heat lamps or moist heat such as warm baths or heated wash cloths.
Heating Pad for Knee Pain and Arthritis in Hands
If you are suffering from arthritis, then an electric heating pad is a great way to get relief. You can use it on any part of your body and there’s no need for hot water because they come with their own heat source! For those who want more portability or just don't enjoy being surrounded by Setting exclusionary vibes when working out at the gym (or even inside), grab one that's air activated so all we have outside our bodies remains cold while still feeling warm within
Soak in a Hot Tub or Whirlpool
The warm water and massaging jets of your Hot Spring can deliver wellness benefits that reach beyond relaxation. Hot tubbing can improve the quality of sleep, increase circulation, and manage pain. research shows that making time for a daily soak can be good for arthritis.
Twenty minutes of hot tub therapy at the beginning and end of each day can help reduce the pain and stiffness of arthritis and increase mobility. Hydrotherapy is an alternative therapy recognized for temporary pain relief of ailments such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle and joint pain, fibromyalgia, and aches and discomfort following exercise.
Arthritis and hot weather: what can you do?
It’s impractical to move to an ‘arthritis friendly’ climate, but you can take certain steps to ease summer-weather symptoms. Many people say their joint stiffness gets worse in very hot weather, and that may be at least partly related to fluid retention.
“Keeping cool, staying in the shade and wearing natural fabrics can help. Gentle swimming can also relieve some of the symptoms, but a lot depends on the individual.” If your hands, feet and ankles swell up a little in hot and humid weather, this isn’t usually anything to worry about. But if it’s very uncomfortable, speak to your GP, especially if you have a heart condition.
Heat treatment for arthritis: The final word
When using moist heat therapy, make sure the temperature is not so hot that you burn your skin. Find a temperature that you can comfortably tolerate, whether using a bath, hot water bottle, or spa therapy.
You also need to give it time to work. Use the moist heat application for at least 15 minutes before exercise. Then use it again immediately following exercise. You can also use moist heat anytime you want additional relief from arthritis pain.
Heat therapy won’t change or improve your condition, but it can help relieve arthritis symptoms combining with our Green Lipped Mussel Oil supplement.
As always, a physical therapist can perform other forms of heat therapy, such as diathermy and ultrasound, that reaches below the skin surface to the connective tissue and muscle. Talk to your doctor to see if this therapy is right for you!