Effective Types of Heat Therapy to Fight Pain

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Types of Heat Therapy to Alleviate Pain

Heat therapy is the use of heat to treat certain medical conditions. This may be done through the use of heat therapy products like heat packs, paraffin baths and radiant heat. It may also be done through items like a hot bath or towels immersed in hot water. There are two types of heat therapy; superficial heat therapy and deep heat therapy.

When May Heat Therapy Be Used?

Heat therapy is mostly used to treat problems that cause the patient pain. It is particularly useful in the treatment of back pain, period pain, neck pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, headaches and pain associated with damaged nerves.

How Does Heat Therapy Work?

Heat therapy increases the temperature of the skin and underlying tissues. It can open up the capillaries and increase blood flow. When the blood flow is increased, more oxygen gets to the muscles and other organs. It may also loosen tissues which helps problems related to stiffness. The heat also stimulates the body's temperature receptors (or thermoreceptors), which help stop it feeling pain.

Types of Heat Therapy

There are two types of heat therapy; superficial heat therapy and deep heat therapy. Superficial heat therapy applies heat to the outside of the body. Deep heat therapy directs heat towards inner tissues and muscles.

Superficial Heat Therapy

The superficial heat therapy heats the skin and the underlying tissues, but it does not heat deep tissues or muscles. Superficial heat therapy will be sufficient for many health problems. However, more chronic pain problems may require the use of deep heat therapy. There are different ways of applying superficial heat therapy. Some may be used at home, whereas others will need the advice or skills of a therapist. A superficial heat treatment may include any treatment that heats up the surface of the skin. Here are some of the ways and heat therapy products through which superficial heat may be applied.

Heat packs. This may include a heat therapy pillow, a heat wheat pack or a hot and cold pack.
Hot water bottles. This is a popular method of superficial heat therapy that many people have used for different types of pain.
Electrical heating pads. These are not very popular as they require an electrical outlet and are not particularly convenient to use.
Paraffin. Paraffin is often used to heat the hands or other uneven surfaces of the body. It is placed in a bath unit and then heated. The part of the body to be treated will be dipped in the paraffin a number of times.
Hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is often used for musculoskeletal disorders, like fibryomyalgia. The patient enters a hydrotherapy tank which is set at a warm temperature. Some have jets that massage the patient.
Fluidotherapy. Fluidotherapy consists of cellulose particles, which are suspended in the air.
Moist heat therapy products. There are special products that deliver moist heat therapy. The products contain special beads that absorb water molecules from the atmosphere and deliver them in the form of moist heat.
Infrared heat therapy rooms. These rooms radiate heat onto the body. As well as treating pain, they may be used to prevent injury and reduce stress.

Heat Therapy for Fibromyalgia Patients

These heat therapy types can be very effective in relieving pain for fibromyalgia patients. Most patients will be able to administer their own type of heat therapy. It helps lessen the pain associated with fibromyalgia and reduces the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. It can also relieve tension and stress. Three of the most popular ways of administering heat therapy to fibromyalgia patients include hot packs, baths and paraffin waxing.

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