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Herbal Heat
Therapy
How Herbal Heat
Therapy works?
Studies show that more effective moist Herbal heat therapy sessions
take between 20-30 minutes.
Microwaveable herbal heating
pads can provide these 20 minute sessions for you. Once a
20-30 minute therapy session is completed, it is important to let your
muscles cool for 20-60 minutes to allow the body to return to normal
temperature and then repeat the therapy again .
Many episodes of lower back pain result from strains and over-exertions,
creating tension in the muscles and soft tissues around the lower spine.
As a result, this restricts proper circulation and sends pain signals
to the brain.
Muscle spasm in the lower back can create sensations that may range
from mild discomfort to excruciating lower back pain. Heat therapy can
help relieve pain from the muscle spasm and related tightness in the
lower back.
Heat therapy application can help provide lower back pain relief through
several mechanisms:
-
Heat therapy dilates
the blood vessels of the muscles surrounding the lumbar spine. This
process increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles,
helping to heal the damaged tissue.
-
Heat stimulates the
sensory receptors in the skin, which means that applying heat to
the lower back will decrease transmissions of pain signals to the
brain and partially relieve the discomfort.
-
Heat application
facilitates stretching the soft tissues around the spine, including
muscles, connective tissue, and adhesions. Consequently, with heat
therapy, there will be a decrease in stiffness as well as injury,
with an increase in flexibility and overall feeling of comfort.
Flexibility is very important for a healthy back.
There are several other
significant benefits of heat therapy that make it so appealing. Compared
to most therapies, heat therapy is quite inexpensive (and in many circumstances
it’s free - such as taking a hot bath). Heat therapy is also easy to
do - it can be done at home while relaxing, and portable heat wraps
also make it an option while at work or in the car.
For many people, heat therapy works best when combined with other treatment
modalities, such as physical therapy and exercise. Relative to most
medical treatments available, heat therapy is appealing to many people
because it is a non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical form of
lower back pain relief.
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