Heat pack for back pain
Back pain afflicts millions of people in the UK each year, often resulting in prolonged absences from work and a reduced quality of life for its sufferers. Heat therapy can bring significant relief from upper and lower back pain – microwavable heat packs are soothing, affordable and designed to target problem areas.
Zhu Zhu’s contoured back warmer heat packs can be snugly attached around the affected area using a strap to deliver healing warmth exactly where it’s needed. The back pain heat pads use the power of heat therapy to provide deep relaxation and to relieve painful symptoms. Each specially designed warmer contains small grains of wheat which store heat effectively when microwaved and then release the warmth gently over a prolonged period to create a soothing effect on muscles and joints.
Heat therapy is a complementary, 100% natural way to help soothe the discomfort from conditions including sciatica, fibromyalgia, muscular strain and back pain in pregnancy.
FAQ
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Applying heat therapy can effectively alleviate both acute and chronic back pain. The heat helps relax the muscles, reducing discomfort, while also dilating the blood vessels to improve circulation and promote healing of any damaged muscle tissue.
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Heat therapy expedites the process of healing by accelerating blood flow to the muscles in the lower back. This increased blood flow delivers a greater supply of oxygen, white blood cells, platelets, and essential nutrients, all of which aid in the repair and healing of damaged tissues.
When heat is applied, sensory nerves respond by releasing chemical messengers that cause local blood vessels to dilate, thereby enhancing the speed of blood flow. This, in turn, raises the skin temperature to match the body's core temperature. Once the skin reaches the core temperature, the excess heat is absorbed by the blood, protecting the skin from burns.
Furthermore, heat penetrates deep into the muscles, improving blood circulation within them. However, it should be noted that the layer of fat beneath the skin can impede the effectiveness of heat therapy in individuals with a thicker fat layer.
In addition to promoting healing, heat therapy also has the ability to alleviate painful muscle spasms in the lower back. Muscle spasms, although seemingly insignificant, can cause severe pain. By improving circulation and relaxing tense muscles, heat therapy helps relieve tightness and reduces associated pain.
Moreover, heat application aids in reducing pain caused by stiffness in the lower back. It facilitates the stretching of soft tissues surrounding the spine, including muscles, connective tissue, and adhesions. As a result, regular heat therapy on the back leads to decreased stiffness and injury, increased range of motion, and strengthened movements of the trunk. This overall sense of comfort makes daily activities feel less challenging when lower back stiffness is relieved.
Lastly, heat therapy makes therapeutic exercises more tolerable. Prior to engaging in physical therapy, stretching, or exercise, heat therapy is typically applied to the lower back. This helps prepare the muscles and makes the subsequent exercises more manageable.
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Apply heat for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Moist heat (heat packs, wheat bags, baths, showers) works better than dry heat.