It is amazing how easy it is to treat some of your most pressing physical concerns with heat therapy or cold therapy when appropriate. As a rule of thumb, use ice when you have new pain or inflammation or an increase in chronic pain. Heat works best for chronic pain, such as old injuries, sports injuries, arthritis, and pain from repetitive motion. However, pain management isn’t the only reason to turn to heat.
Heat Therapy For Whole Health
Some benefits of regular heat treatments include:
- Improved circulation
- Decreased pain
- Increased range of motion and flexibility
- Sweats away toxins
- Relieves both physical and mental stress
- Encourages relaxation and quality of sleep
- Accelerates the healing process
- Comfort and warming
The Best Ways To Heat
Between heating pads, disposable patches, heated creams, baths, steam, and sauna, you have an endless option of ways to target your muscles, tendons, and joints or to heat your body from head-to-toe. Find the methods that work best for your ailments or that are the easiest to access. For me, a $50 investment in a heated mattress pad made a world of difference, but I still love to steam and take Epsom salt baths.
Don’t overdo your heat therapy, and if you choose an option that induces sweating (which is good!), amp up your hydration both before and after.
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