Heat therapy is a popular treatment technique used to help resolve a number of minor aches and pains, and for the right individual, it can make a world of difference. Heat can oftentimes be an effective tool in helping your body heal from an injury because it will help to open up blood vessels, making it easier for nutrients and oxygen to travel to specific areas of your back. This helps to repair damaged muscles, relieve inflammation and improve flexibility in the area.
However, you’ll want to be a little mindful of how you use heat to your benefit, because a few issues can arise if you aren’t careful. Below, we share some tips for using a heating pad to help resolve your spinal discomfort.
Tips For Using A Heating Pad On Your Back
If you want to get the most out of your heating pad for back pain relief, you’ll want to keep these tips in mind:
- Start Low – Don’t jump to the highest setting right away. Doing so can lead to skin irritation or other injuries, especially if you fall asleep while using the device. Start off on the lowest setting and slowly increase the heat from there. See what level seems to provide you with the most relief.
- Not Direct To Skin – Don’t place the heating pad directly on your skin. Wrap it in a cloth or have a shirt or two between the pad and your skin. Again, this will help to prevent skin irritation or burns.
- Not Your Only Treatment – Don’t make a heating pad your only treatment or your primary treatment option. A heating pad is a passive treatment technique, and while it can prove beneficial, you’ll also want to pair it with active treatments like exercise or physical therapy. A heating pad will do nothing to strengthen your spine or help prepare it for future stress, so while it may aid with the recovery process, you’ll also want to proactively improve the function of your spine with active treatments.
- Hydrate – Unlike the sun, you’re probably not going to get dehydrated from the heat that you receive from the heating pad, but it’s a good idea to fill up a glass of water and to finish it by the end of your heating pad session. A heating pad helps to boost your circulation, and so too does staying hydrated, so you can help you back in multiple ways if you drink water while you’re using your heating pad.
- Use For 15-20 Minutes At A Time – Use the heating pad for 15-20 minutes at a time and then get up and move. Remember, a heating pad isn’t a great long-term treatment technique. You’re better served by moving, exercising and being active. Use a heating pad for a bit then transition to a physical activity where your body will benefit from this movement. Don’t expect to find relief by sitting on the couch for two hours with a heating pad.
- Not All Aches – Don’t assume that all types of back pain will be rectified by using a heating pad in short bursts. Minor joint aches and muscle strains may benefit from a heating pad, but other issues like a fracture or pinched nerve may not see much improvement with a heating pad. If you have questions as to whether or not your condition would respond to heat treatment, reach out to a spine specialist like Dr. Sinicropi.
Heat can be a great ally in your quest to overcome back pain, but so can a doctor. If you want professional assistance with your back pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
