Safe practice guidelines recommend that heating pads be used in 15–20-minute intervals and that patients never exceed 30 minutes of use in one therapeutic session [6].
Chronic exposure to heat and infrared radiation may result in reticulated erythematous and hyperpigmented skin lesions known as erythema ab igne.
Make sure not to fall asleep on a heating pad. Generally, heat should be applied 1-3 times a day for 10-15 minutes at a time.
HOME HEAT THERAPY INSTRUCTIONS
Apply to affected area for NO LONGER than 15 minutes. Use a layer of towels between your skin and the heating pad. Remove for at least 1 hour then repeat. 2-3 applications a day is advisable.
Heat therapy is intended for use in 20-minute cycles. Prolonging your skin's exposure to extreme temperatures can result in minor burns and dryness. Safety is the primary concern for health experts who recommend purchasing a modern heating pad with automatic turnoff timers.
To clarify: It's okay to use a heating pad in bed, as long as you follow proper precautions while doing so. Keep your heating pad out from underneath anything—you, pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, etc. This helps prevent any chance of fire should the coils overheat.
There are many benefits and uses for heating pads that can help relieve aches, pains, cramps, and muscle stiffness. Heating pads are a form of heat therapy that promotes consistent circulation throughout the body. When faced with an injury, heating pads are a great way to reduce muscle or joint discomfort.
Apply heat for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Moist heat (hot packs, baths, showers) works better than dry heat. Try an all-day heat wrap, available in pharmacies. If you are using an electric heating pad, avoid falling asleep while the pad is on.
The main reason heating pads and heat therapy are so effective for back pain is because they increase circulation. When this happens, oxygen and nutrients make their way to the muscles and joints. Not only can better circulation resolve muscle damage, it can also relieve back stiffness and inflammation.
Nerve Pain
Pain caused by conditions such as sciatica respond well to ice or cold treatments because that temperature tends to calm inflammation and numb any soreness in the tissue. It's best to use cold when the pain is still sharp and move on to heat once that sharpness has subsided.
Heat therapy can help ease acute and chronic back pain. A person should apply heat to their back to help relax the muscles, reducing pain. Applying heat to the muscles can cause the blood vessels to dilate, improving circulation. This promotes the healing of any damaged muscle.
Erythema ab igne is a rash characterized by a reticulated pattern of erythema and hyperpigmentation. It is caused by repeated exposure to direct heat or infrared radiation, often from occupational exposure or the use of heating pads.
No, it is not “safe” to sleep with a heating pad in your bed. This is a bad idea for sure. Moreover, some medical professionals state it is unnecessary.
Heat can be used for chronic pain or injuries that are no longer swollen. If you use heat on a swollen area, it can increase inflammation. This will prevent your injury from healing.
Generally speaking, ice is better than heat for back pain that may be caused by an acute injury. The Cleveland Clinic says that, in the battle of back pain, “Ice wins to shut down swelling, inflammation and pain early on where heat may actually make an injury worse.”
Always use heat and cold therapy intermittently, for 15 to 20 minutes, with a 2-hour break in between to avoid skin and nerve damage.
However, can a heating pad help? Working out, exercising, and maintaining balanced diets are the only ways through which belly fat can be reduced. Electrical heating pads can help to get rid of pain, muscle tensions, and other problems like period cramps, but do not help you to lose weight.
As with ice therapy, it's best to limit the application of heat to 20 minutes at a time avoid further damaging your tissue or overheating yourself to the point of dehydration. The bottom line: many different thermotherapy modalities exist to help treat pain and stiffness.
Heat relieves tension and stress around the neck and shoulders. You can also put the heating pad on your chest when you feel anxious to help relieve that feeling.
The short answer: Start with ice when your back hurts after a minor injury. Cold therapy helps most right after you experience pain and up to the first 2 days. Afterward, heat will likely give you more pain relief. Plus, heat will help with stiffness and loosen up your muscles and joints.
Key takeaways: Ice and heat therapy can effectively treat muscle aches and pains. Generally, ice is better for acute or newer injuries, while heat is better for chronic or long-term pain. If your symptoms don't improve with ice or heat therapy, stop using them and talk to your healthcare provider.
A hot pack can provide pain relief to the chronic aching joints that accompany arthritis. Here are some tips on safe use of a heating pad. Do not sleep with a heating pad or you may get a burn. Only use a heating pad for 15-30 minutes per hour.
Heat. Brings more blood to the area where it is applied. Reduces joint stiffness and muscle spasm, which makes it useful when muscles are tight.