I sometimes get so annoyed at my back pain that I try and set it on fire. Well not quite on fire I just make it really toasty. This is the idea behind heat therapy for back pain.
Heat, as it turns out, is an effective remedy for back pain. There are a few different ways to apply heat. Something as simple as a hot bath can be very good.
I had a weekend away recently at a pool resort. I took advantage of the large pool to take some exercise for my back without placing any strain on it. Another great feature of the resort was the jacuzzi. I found it very relaxing to lay back in the hot bubbles and pummel my lower back with jets of water.
Not everyone has a jacuzzi though and it’s not always possible to slip in one. So another popular form of heat therapy are heat pads for back pain.
So how does applying heat make the pain go away?
Applying heat causes the blood vessels to dilate in muscles around the lumbar spine. This improves healing of fragile tissue.
Heat heightens the sensitivity of skin receptors which in turn lowers the number of pain signals delivered to the brain.
Applying heat pulls out and stretchs the tissue around the spine. This will increase feeling of comfort, decrease stiffness and give improved flexibility.
So what is a heat belt for pack pain?
There are various manufacturers who makes pads or wraps designed to fit round your back pack and provide a constant source of heat which has soothing and pain killing properties. Sometimes these are heated electrically, sometimes these are reusable, sometimes these are fitted with a belt. The basic idea is just to deliver heat to numb the pain. It is like a specially designed pain numbing water bottle for your lower back.
So what are the best heat wraps for back pain?
Thermacare heat packs are available over the counter in pharmacists. They are self heating wraps which provide eight hours of heat. The idea is simply to slip them around your waist using a provided belt and the pads apply direct heat to your skin. Most of the reviews I’ve read online have recommended them.
Another option is a microwaveable backwrap. The most popular brand is hotties. You pop it in the microwave for a few minutes and it then provides sustained heat for hours.
Obviously it’s a little bit less convenient as you have to have a microwave close by but if you are planning on only applying these at home then this is very feasible.
