The Power of Heat Therapy

Whether it’s exercise, an injury or natural tightness, our muscles will inevitably become stiff every once in a while. As we get older, this becomes more likely and our potential for ailments such as arthritis and sciatica nerve pain increases too. Heat therapy is one of the most effective, accessible and affordable ways to treat these issues whether the pain is mild, moderate or severe.

Also dubbed thermotherapy, applying heat works by “changing the cutaneous, intra-articular and core temperature of soft tissue with the intention of improving the symptoms of certain conditions. Using heat as a therapeutic intervention decreases pain in joint and muscle as well as soft tissues and they have opposite effects on tissue metabolism, blood flow, inflammation, edema and connective tissue extensibility.” In other words, it increases blood flow to the affected area thereby relaxing it to soothe discomfort, improve flexibility and heal damaged tissue.

There are many methods to choose from if you want to give heat therapy a try. There are two types that encompass different methods – dry (conductive) and moist (convective) heat.

Dry heat includes heating pads, dry heating packs, electric blankets and pillows as well as saunas (even though that may seem contrary). Saunas as dry heat are incredibly effective as they relax the entirety of your body and help you to regulate your body temperature, thereby improving biological functions such as immune efficiency. Saunas are especially effective immediately after a workout and a good stretch.

Moist heat includes steamed towels, moist heating packs and hot baths/showers. It has been proven to be more effective than dry heat, affording the same benefits but in less time.

There are also multiple professional thermotherapeutic practices that you can choose from, including ultrasound treatment. This is particularly effective for pain caused by tendonitis and other inflammatory ailments.

Try combining thermotherapy with aromatherapy by using essential oils simultaneously. This works particularly well with moist therapy – add a few drops to your hot compress or bath to help ease the pain doubly. Some of the most effective oils for muscle/tendon relaxation and pain relief are peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, chamomile, rosemary, sandalwood and ginger oil. Apply according to your preference and perhaps even try some self-soothing aromatherapeutic massage in the bath or shower.