Healthcare Professionals
Arthritis Pain Relief with Heat Therapy: A Natural Way to Relieve Stiffness and Improve Mobility
According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis affects more than 58 million adults in the United States alone, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion that can severely limit daily activities.
Medications and physical therapy are often crucial for osteoarthritis pain relief, but, increasingly, many people are finding that simple heat therapy for arthritis can be a game changer. Heat therapy is also a way to help manage arthritis pain naturally and drug-free. Even just 15 minutes of heat treatment, say Harvard experts, before stretching or joint mobilization can significantly improve comfort and function.
How Does Heat Therapy Help Arthritis?
The Arthritis Foundation and Harvard report that heat therapy helps with chronic arthritis pain management by:
- Increasing blood flow to the affected area, which brings in oxygen and nutrients to help heal damaged tissues while removing pain-producing waste products.
- Relaxing muscles and soft tissues, through enhanced circulation, to help relieve stiffness and immobility in muscles and joints, loosen tight or spasming tissues, increase flexibility and elasticity, and improve range of motion.
- Interrupting pain signals to the brain and increasing pain tolerance by stimulating the skin’s thermoreceptors.
- Providing general comfort.
When and How to Use Arthritis Heat Treatment
Optimal times to turn to joint pain relief with heat are:
- In the morning to reduce stiffness.
- Before exercise to loosen joints.
- After activity to reduce muscle tension (but not if there’s swelling — in that case, ice may be more appropriate).
Combining Heat Therapy with Other Treatments
Heat therapy works well as part of a larger arthritis management plan. Consider pairing it with:
- Gentle exercises (like walking, yoga or tai chi)
- Physical therapy
- An anti-inflammatory diet
- Medications as prescribed or recommended by your healthcare provider
ThermaCare offers Convenient Heat Therapy,
Even on the Go
A hassle-free, portable way to utilize the soothing power of heat is with ThermaCare Heat Therapy Heat Wraps available through Amazon and at retailers like Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS.
With targeted, long-lasting warmth, ThermaCare self-adhesive wraps for arthritis pain are available for a range of joints and muscles. Applied easily and discreetly (no bulkiness or cords), these heatwraps for arthritis last up to 8 hours for deep, penetrating relief and increased circulation as you go about your day, and 4 more hours after you take it off. Their constant heat, flowing into the arthritic joint or discomfort site, helps to keep pain minimal and allows for easier movement.
Heat therapy, such as with ThermaCare, is a simple, drug-free way to ease arthritis-related pain and stiffness. By using it correctly and consistently, many people with arthritis experience improved mobility and a better quality of life.
Do not apply heat:
- To a new or early stage injury (avoid heat applications for the first 48-72 hours after injury)
- To skin that is hot, red, or inflamed or to an open wound
- If you have diabetes, skin irritation, a vascular disease, deep vein thrombosis, or multiple sclerosis (MS), or any sensory disorder that might prevent you from sensing if tissues are becoming overheated
- That is too hot, be careful you don’t burn or scald the skin
For convenient, on-the-go heat therapy, look for ThermaCare Heat Therapy heat wraps on Amazon and at Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and other retailers.
Real heat that
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Find where to buy ThermaCare Arthritis Pain Therapy in stores near you and online to bring the heat home.
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