Applying a heating pad can help ease pain in joints, muscles, and soft tissues. This is a form of heat therapy, or thermotherapy.
Heat increases the blood flow to the affected area, relaxing the muscles and helping to reduce stiffness in the joints.
Thermotherapy can help ease:
- back pain
- neck pain
- menstrual cramps
- migraine symptoms
- pain following an injury
- arthritis pain
During the healing process, increased blood circulation brings more oxygen to the injured cells. Oxygen accelerates the healing of tissues.
Heating pads are a popular method of thermotherapy. A hot bath or shower may also help.
