Heat therapy: Dos and Don’ts

Heat therapy is a popular method of natural pain relief all over the world. Time and time again, it has proven its usefulness as a means to provide pain relief without subjecting the body to harmful side effects of drugs and surgery.

However, heat therapy also comes with its own risks. Although useful in many situations, not all conditions will benefit from heat. In fact, there are conditions that will worsen after heat is applied.

When is heat therapy indicated?

Heat therapy has existed more thousands of years, helping relieve different body aches and problems. Here are just a few examples of conditions that can benefit from heat therapy:

• Muscle spasms that cause pain or discomfort
• Abdominal cramps
• Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)
• Superficial blood vessel clotting (thrombophlebitis)

When should heat therapy NOT be used?

Although heat therapy is generally safe, there are a few conditions that may worsen after certain types of heat application. A few of these conditions are listed below:

• Hot compresses that use wet towels are not allowed for use in surgical wounds. It is important for surgical wounds and incisions to remain dry at all times to prevent infection.
• Hydrotherapy using warm should be used with caution in patients with ostomies. An ostomy is a surgically produced opening on the body, such as a tracheostomy and a colostomy.
• Patients with sensory problems should use heat packs and other forms of heat therapy carefully. If you are applying heat therapy on a numb area, test the temperature at regular intervals. When you apply heat therapy on an area of the body that has sensory deficits, you cannot tell if a hot pack is too hot or if your skin is starting to burn.
• Right after an injury, heat therapy is not the desired physical modality. Heat may further increase swelling during the first twenty-four hours; cold therapy is better for such injuries.

What harmful effects should you watch out for when using heat therapy?

Heat therapy, when prepared and administered correctly for pain relief, usually poses no problems. However, improper use of heat therapy may lead to the following adverse effects:

• Burns
• Erythema ab igne
• Blisters
• Increased swelling
• Unwarranted masking of pain. If you are experiencing pain because of a serious condition, using heat therapy may delay diagnosis and treatment. If you feel that your pain is caused by a serious underlying condition, consult your doctor.

Did you know that heat therapy helps decrease certain types of inflammation? Read more on hot compresses and inflammation!

Has heat therapy helped you overcome pain? Share your experience and help uplift someone else’s suffering; tell your story through the comment form below!