Heat therapy is used basically for pain relief. Bruises, sprains, arthritis pain, stiff neck and back aches are some situations in which heat therapy can be helpful. Effective heat therapy products generate and maintain the right amount of heat. The hot pack should be warm, rather than being hot as it could burn the skin. The warm temperature maintained by the hot pack helps the heat to penetrate deep down and produce the desired effect without irritating the skin. The duration for which the heat should be applied depends upon the nature and magnitude of injury. At HPFY we have a wide variety of hot packs and heating units available for your convenience.
What are Hot Pads?
A hot pad, also known as a heating pad, delivers heat to the body to relieve pain and help recover from injury or illness. Heat penetrates deep into the tissue, helps dilate blood vessels, and increases blood flow to the affected area. This helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body cells contributing to healing.
Heat packs come in many forms and can assist with injuries and pain in the neck, arms, back, and legs. Physical therapists often use moist heating pads to help relieve pain and tension in sore muscles.
Types of Heat Therapy
- Dry heat like the heat produced by electric heating pads or saunas. This type of heat extracts the moisture from skin leaving the skin dry and dehydrated, however it is easy to apply and produces good results. It is a hustle free alternative of heat therapy.
- Moist heat is the heat provided by hot baths, moist heating packs or steamed towels. Moist heat penetrates through muscles to provide pain relief without dehydrating the skin. Moist heat therapy proves to be beneficial in many cases like muscle stiffness and discomfort as it has an additional capacity to change tissue temperature.
Types of Hot Packs at HPFY
Heat therapy packs are available in many forms to meet the diverse needs of clients. They include:
- Hot Water Bottle – These are made up of tough rubber or silicone based material. These bottles stay warm for around 20 to 30 minutes. You just need to fill it with hot water and it is good to go.
- Electric Heating Pad – these heating pads supply dry heat and maintain a constant heat level for the entire period when it is plugged in.
- Reusable Heat Pack These packs contain a gel that retains the heat when heated in a microwave, or water. It stays warm for about 30 minutes.
- Heat Wraps Wraps are a great way of providing heat to specific target areas like the back, neck, shoulder etc. they can be worn any time while watching your favorite show or while working out.
Benefits of Moist Heating Pad
The heating pads are portable, extremely convenient, and can be used anywhere at any time. The following are the benefits of using a hot pack:
When should you not use a Heat Pack?
Hot pads should not be used in certain conditions. They may include:
- Open wounds
- Infections
- Diabetes
- Malignant tumors
- After acute injury
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Circulatory problems
- Severe cognitive impairment
- In areas of impaired sensitivity, such as numbness and tingling
- People who are sensitive to heat
Buying Guide for Heating Pad
- Size of the heat pack: The size of the hot pack is important when choosing a hot pad, and it depends on where you will use it. If you need pain relief for larger sections like your back or waist, you may want to consider a large hot pad. Buy a heat pack that provides maximum coverage to the treatment area.
- Material of the heating pad: Pay attention to the material of the hot pad cover too. Some materials distribute heat better, while others might be softer on the skin or more durable, so check with manufacturer descriptions to find out. It is good to buy a cover that is washable so that it will remain clean and hygienic.
- Heat settings: If you want control over temperature settings, look for a heating pad with several heating levels. So, you can set the desired heat level for your specific condition. Keep in mind that some moist heating pads do not have the heat setting option.
- Heating methods: Hot packs come in different designs and vary in heat generation methods, such as electric, microwave, infrared, and other non-electric sources. Be aware that different heating methods suit different conditions, so buy accordingly.
- Auto shut off feature: If you are concerned about safety, consider buying a heating pad with an auto shut-off feature. If you fall asleep while using a hot pack, the auto shut feature can prevent you from serious injury.
Best Heat Therapy Products at HPFY
- Thermotech Digital Medical Grade Heating Pad
- Cardinal Health Insulated Reusable Hot And Cold Gel Packs
- Complete Medical Heat It Up Heating Pad
- Polar V Series Soft Ice Reusable Cold & Hot Therapy Pack
- BodyMed Digital Moist Heating Pad
Where to buy Hot Pack online?
Health Products For You carries a wide assortment of heating pads, including microwavable heating pads, electric heating pads, and infrared heating pads to treat various conditions like knee pain, back pain, neck and shoulder pain, etc.
We supply hot packs from leading manufacturers like HealthyLine, Techniche, Core Products, etc., at the best prices. Shop now and get pain relief in the comfort of your home.
Read more about Heat Compress
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
Heat therapy dialates the blood vessels in the area where it is applied. This process helps in increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, helping to heal the damaged tissue.
Dry heat therapy includes the use of equipment such as electric heating pads and saunas. It is quite possible that it may draw out moisture from the body and leaving the skin dehydrated. However, some people feel that dry heat is the easiest to apply and feels the best.
Yes, it is not harmful to use hot packs during pregnancy to ease aching body parts unless it raises your core body temprature. And when your core body temperature rises, your risk for miscarriage and some birth defects may also increase. Avoid using these pads directly to the belly.
Yes, reusable hot packs are available. There is no limit to how many times they may be used until damaged externally.
Yes, hot packs helps to relieve lower back pain. It dialates blood vessels and improve circulation to the spine and lumbar region thereby reducing pain.