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Your mobility may be restricted and your ability to engage in physical activity due to muscle spasms, joint pain, and back stiffness. Heat therapy is also effective for back pain, even though medication can be effective at reducing inflammation.
This type of therapy isn’t anything new. In actuality, its origins can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, who used the sun’s rays as a form of therapy. Hot springs were even used as a form of pain relief by the Chinese and the Japanese.
Today, you don’t have to head outdoors for relief. Heat therapy is now simpler and more practical thanks to heating pads. Check out some of the advantages of heat therapy for back pain below.
Because heat therapy improves circulation, which then allows nutrients and oxygen to reach joints and muscles, it is an effective treatment for back pain. This circulation lessens swelling, soothes inflammation, and reduces back stiffness.
Any type of heat therapy can help relieve back pain. Yet, heating pads are ideal because they’re convenient and portable. Additionally, because they are electric, you can use them anywhere in your house, including in bed or on the couch.
Baths that are hot or warm provide moist heat that helps to increase circulation and ease soreness and pain in the muscles. If you also experience pain or stiffness in other areas of your body, a bath may be more beneficial.
But the issue with baths is that it’s challenging to maintain the water’s temperature. That water will slowly cool down.
The heat from heating pads, on the other hand, can be adjusted and is continuous as long as the pad is on.
If you don’t have a heating pad, you can also get back pain and stiffness relief by taking a warm shower or relaxing in a hot tub. The continuous heat provided by a hot tub and shower over a bath, similar to a heating pad, is one advantage.
It’s important to use electric heating pads correctly because they can become hot quickly and hurt the skin.
8 Essential Ways Heat Therapy Alleviates and Heals Lower Back Pain
The following methods help achieve the most notable advantages of heat therapy for back pain:
Heat therapy speeds up the healing process
By increasing blood flow to the muscles in the lower back, heat therapy aids in healing. More oxygen, white blood cells, platelets, and vital nutrients are delivered by increased blood flow, all of which aid in the healing of damaged tissues.
In response to heat application, sensory nerves release chemical messengers that expand nearby blood vessels and accelerate blood flow. Petrofsky J, Berk L, Bains G, et al. Moist heat or dry heat for delayed onset muscle soreness. J Clin Med Res. 2013;5(6):416-425. doi:10. The application of heat and the increased blood flow both assist in raising the skin’s temperature to that of the body’s core 4021/jocmr1521w. The blood absorbs excess heat after the skin reaches its core temperature and shields the skin from burns. Petrofsky J, Paluso D, Anderson D, et al. Skin blood flow’s role in warming the skin after local heat application; the dual nature of the Pennes heat equation Med Eng Phys. 2011;33(3):325-329. doi:10. 1016/j. medengphy. 2010. 10. 018.
Heat therapy dilates blood vessels (vasodilation), which increases blood flow. This improves blood circulation in the painful or stiff area.
Heat also penetrates the muscles from the skin’s surface, which enhances blood flow there. This process requires the heat to pass through the fat layer directly beneath the skin, which could make heat therapy less effective in those with thicker fat layers. Petrofsky J, Bains G, Prowse M, et al. Are heating techniques really effective in treating obesity in people using dry heat, moist heat, and body fat? J Med Eng Technol. 2009;33(5):361-369. doi:10. 1080/03091900802355508 , Petrofsky JS, Laymon M. Body fat and heating method effects on heat transfer to deep tissue J Med Eng Technol. 2009;33(5):337-348. doi:10. 1080/03091900802069547.
Heat calms painful muscle spasms
Lower back muscle spasms are a component of the majority of lower back pain types. Despite their apparent insignificance, muscle spasms can be excruciatingly painful, and they frequently result in trips to the emergency room.
Muscle spasms cause restricted circulation and send pain signals to the brain. By improving circulation, unwinding tight muscles, and easing pain, heat therapy can help ease tightness in the lower back.
Heat reduces pain caused by stiffness
Heat therapy makes it easier to stretch the muscles, connective tissue, and adhesions that surround the spine. Consequently, regular heat therapy on the back typically provides:
- Decreased stiffness and injury
- Increased range of motion Bleakley CM, Costello JT. Do thermal agents impact soft tissue mechanical properties and range of motion? A systematic review Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;94(1):149-163. doi:10. 1016/j. apmr. 2012. 07. 023 .
- Amplification of trunk movements Freiwald J, Hoppe MW, Beermann W, Krajewski J, Baumgart C Effects of additional heat therapy on strength and flexibility in patients receiving multimodal treatment for chronic low back pain Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2018;57:107-113. doi:10. 1016/j. clinbiomech. 2018. 06. 008 .
When lower back stiffness is alleviated, an overall feeling of comfort sets in and day-to-day activities appear less challenging.
Heat makes therapeutic exercises more tolerable
The majority of lower back pain treatment plans start with physical therapy, stretches, and exercise. Prior to physical therapy sessions, lower back heat therapy is frequently used, and it is advised to do so before stretching and doing exercises.
Additionally, regular heat therapy at home facilitates easier exercise completion, according to Petrofsky JS, Laymon M, Alshammari F, Khowailed IA, and Lee H. A randomized controlled trial shows that using Ibuprofen and low-level continuous heat as an adjunct to physical therapy increases patients’ pain relief, range of motion, and compliance with at-home exercise. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017;30(4):889-896. doi:10. 3233/BMR-160577 in between and long after physical therapy sessions. Heat application will undoubtedly enhance the overall result of physical therapy for neck or back pain by facilitating consistent exercises.
Heat interrupts transmission of pain signals
Sensory receptors that are found at nerve endings are part of the gate-control theory of pain. One set of activated receptors may mute or block another set of activated receptors as they compete for access to the brain. Heat therapy opens heat-sensitive calcium channels, which either directly block pain receptors or indirectly block pain by stimulating other sensory receptors. Petrofsky J, Berk L, Bains G, et al. Moist heat or dry heat for delayed onset muscle soreness. J Clin Med Res. 2013;5(6):416-425. doi:10. 4021/jocmr1521w.
Heat produces relaxation chemicals
Cortisol levels in the blood show that heat therapy can lessen mental stress Antonelli M, Donelli D A systematic review of the effects of spa therapy and balneotherapy on cortisol levels as a stress biomarker Int J Biometeorol. 2018;62(6):913-924. doi:10. 1007/s00484-018-1504-8 and also lessen chemical oxidative stress Hot stones, hot towels, and hot baths are just a few spa treatments that use heat because of its calming effects.
Heat boosts immunity
Heat therapy’s raised body temperature (external heat) mimics the role of a fever (internal heat), which is to activate the immune system on several levels.
Research suggests that regular use of certain heat therapies provides:
- An activated immune system. Ramirez FE, Sanchez A, and Pirskanen AT found that taking a hot bath activates monocytes, a type of white blood cell that aids in the removal of dead cells, fights infections, and releases more cytokines. Treatment and prevention of mild to moderate COVID-19 cases with hydrothermotherapy Med Hypotheses. 2021;146:110363. doi:10. 1016/j. mehy. 2020. Small proteins called 110363 serve as messengers between immune cells and other body cells.
- A decrease in inflammatory markers. There is a link between frequent sauna use and lower blood levels of C-reactive protein. Laukkanen JA, Laukkanen T. Sauna bathing and systemic inflammation. Eur J Epidemiol. 2018;33(3):351-353. doi:10. Low levels of this protein are indicative of a robust immune system: 1007/s10654-017-0335-y Interleukin-1 and leukotriene B4 levels are decreased by regular balneotherapy (hot mineral water baths), according to Ardiç F, Ozgen M, Aybek H, Rota S, Cubukçu D, and Gökgöz A. Effects of balneotherapy on the levels of IL-1, PGE2, and LTB4 in patients with fibromyalgia Rheumatol Int. 2007;27(5):441-446. doi:10. Lloyd A, Scott DA, Akehurst RL, Lurie-Luke E, and Jessen G. 1007/s00296-006-0237-x Cost-effectiveness of low-level heat wrap therapy for low back pain. Value Health. 2004;7(4):413-422. doi:10. 1111/j. 1524-4733. 2004. 74004. x both of which are proteins involved in inflammation.
The long-term effects of heat therapy include a decrease in the low-grade inflammation that is frequently present in conditions associated with chronic pain. An increase in inflammation results from applying heat to swollen, infected, or damaged tissues in the short term. Because of this, localized heat therapy is avoided as soon as possible after injury (in the first 48 hours, heat is typically avoided and cold compresses are used to reduce acute inflammation).
Heat reduces reliance on medications
Compared to over-the-counter pain relievers, heat therapy is more cost-effective and effective. Lloyd A, Scott DA, Akehurst RL, Lurie-Luke E, Jessen G. Cost-effectiveness of low-level heat wrap therapy for low back pain. Value Health. 2004;7(4):413-422. doi:10. 1111/j. 1524-4733. 2004. 74004. One of the main benefits of heat therapy is its low risk of side effects. Since low back pain tends to recur frequently, using painkillers for every instance of discomfort could result in drug dependence. As an effective alternative to drug treatment for persistent low back pain, heat therapy
People who want a natural method of pain relief that simultaneously heals the body, soothes the muscles, encourages exercise, and reduces stress should turn to heat application as a treatment.
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FAQ
Is hot pad good for back pain?
Heat therapy and heating pads are particularly successful at treating back pain because they improve circulation. As a result, the muscles and joints receive oxygen and nutrients. In addition to repairing muscle damage, improved circulation can also reduce inflammation and back stiffness.
How long should you lay on a heating pad for back pain?
Apply heat for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Hot packs, baths, and showers all work better than dry heat for generating heat. Try an all-day heat wrap, available in pharmacies. Avoid dozing off with an electric heating pad on if you’re using one.
Why does heat help back pain?
Heat should be applied to the back to aid in muscle relaxation and pain reduction. Heat applied to muscles can cause blood vessels to enlarge and improve circulation. This promotes the healing of any damaged muscle. Additionally, it stimulates the pain-producing nerve endings in the area being treated.
Is heat or cold better for back pain?
The quick response is: If your back hurts after a minor injury, start with ice. The first two days after experiencing pain and immediately after cold therapy are when it works best. Afterward, heat will likely give you more pain relief. In addition, heat will help to loosen up your muscles and joints and reduce stiffness.
Ice Or Heat For Back Pain Relief & Injury?
Reference:
https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/heat-therapy-cold-therapy/benefits-heat-therapy-lower-back-pain
https://www.healthline.com/health/heating-pad-for-back-pain