This morning I am surrounded by pearled wheat, lavender and half sewn wheatbags. With a few market days lined up before Christmas I think I need to get a move on and get them finished!
I suffer on and off from lower back pain and there is nothing more soothing and comforting than a nice warm wheatbag. And while I am surrounded by my mountain of unfinished wheatbags I thought it would be a great idea to explore why heat therapy is so soothing and helpful for managing pain.
Heat therapy as a treatment option goes back thousands of years. Heat is generally used for injuries that have no inflammation or swelling and is enjoying a comeback as an excellent way to reduce the severity of chronic pain. Sore, stiff, nagging muscle or joint pain is ideal for the use of heat therapy.
How Heat Therapy Works
· Heat therapy dilates the blood vessels of the muscles. This process increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, helping to heal the damaged tissue.
· Heat stimulates the sensory receptors in the skin, which means that applying heat to the site of discomfort will decrease transmissions of pain signals to the brain and partially relieve the discomfort.
· Heat application facilitates stretching the soft tissues around the injury, including muscles, connective tissue, and adhesions. Consequently, with heat therapy, there will be a decrease in stiffness as well as injury, with an increase in flexibility and overall feeling of comfort.
Heat therapy is in fact a pretty simple concept. Any treatment that uses heat to help soothe pain, relax muscles or ease stress can be classified as a form of heat therapy. Heat therapy can be done by pretty much anyone and for very little cost.
Heat for pain, particularly back pain, is a good first option for managing most types of body pain. Its effectiveness depends on the circumstances of the pain condition. Heat is mainly effective at treating muscular troubles. Heat should be applied after 48 hours following an injury, application too soon will cause increased swelling and uneasiness in the injured area. Ice is a better option directly after sustaining an injury.
Heat therapy is a popular option because it is inexpensive, easy to use and available at home. Try a hot bath, applying a gel heat pack, applying a hot towel, using a hot water bottle, or heating up a wheat bag. Ensure you protect your skin from burns when using any type of heat pack.
References: Elizabeth Quinn - sportsmedicine.about.com
Bodypaincure.com
Spine-health.com
