Heating Pads for Joint Pain: Arthritis and Rheumatism Relief
Arthritis is a condition in which the patients feel pain and stiffness in their joints resulting in limited mobility. The connective tissue around the joints is also affected which also causes extreme pain when the patient tries to bend the joint. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 53 million Americans are suffering from arthritis. Among the non-pharmacological treatment options, the use of heating pads for joint pain is often recommended. This is because heat therapy positively affects the joints and helps reduce pain.
The use of heating pads for arthritic pain helps relieve muscle soreness
In this article, let us understand if and how heating pads for joint pain work. In addition, some of the notable heating pads have also been linked along with their features and prices:
Heating Pads for Joint Pain: How Do They Work?
When we use heating pads for joint pain as well as for any other condition, they follow the same working principle. These provide heat and warmth to the target area on which they are applied. As a result, the blood vessels get dilated resulting in an increased blood flow. With more blood, more oxygen as well as nutrients come to the arthritic tissue which helps relieve pain and stiffness.
Heating Pads for Joint Pain: Are They Effective?
Yes, the use of heating pads for joint pain is a well-established method. This is because both heat and cold therapies are considered effective for the management of arthritis. In this regard, the use of heating pads or a hot water bottle are effective way of delivering the necessary heat to the affected joints.
How to Use Heating Pads for Joint Pain?
The following steps should be followed while using a heating pad for arthritic joints:
1. Selecting the Heating Pads for Joint Pain
For using heating pads for joint pain, it is best to select a product that is suitable for the patient. The arthritic patients often have painful knees so some of the heating pads come in the form of non-slip knee braces which can be easily worn for longer periods.
2. Electric vs Microwavable Options
While choosing heating pads for joint pain, the selection between electric and microwavable options often troubles the patients. However, the right way is to go through the differences of the products and then decide which one should be the best heating pad for yourself or for your loved one.
a. Electric Heating Pads
The electric heating pads for joint pain need to be plugged in during use. Once hot, they provide heat to the joints for the next 2 hours after which the automatic shut-off function discontinues the device usage as a protective measure. Most electric heating pads for joint pain have multiple heating options and can also massage the affected area.
b. Microwavable Heating Pads
As for the microwavable heating pads for joint pain, the method of their usage is even easier. These just need to be put into the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds and then can be applied to the joints. However, these only remain warm for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Adjusting the Warmth
If the patient feels that the lowest temperature is also hot for their skin, a towel or a soft cloth can be put between the knee and the heating pad. This will effectively reduce the heat.
Arthritis mainly affects knees and causes mobility issues
Benefits of Using Heating Pads for Joint Pain
The use of heating pads for joint pain brings the following benefits:
- The employment of heating pads for joint pain increases the patient’s pain tolerance.
- The stiff muscles due to arthritis become relaxed.
- The increased blood flow to the affected area also results in the management of muscle spasms.
- In the case of moist heat, the penetration in the joints and muscle tissue is higher which further enhances the effectiveness of the heating pads for joint pain.
Heat Therapy for Arthritis
Apart from using heating pads for joint pain, there are also several other methods that can be used to provide heat to the affected tissue. These include the following:
Disposable Heat Patches
Disposable heat patches can be bought from your nearby drugstore. These work by conducting an exothermic chemical reaction which generates heat. Usually, these heat patches are filled with iron powder, water, acrylic polymer, sodium salts, or activated charcoal. These can work for several hours but are single-use items.
Hot Water Bottle
Hot water bottles can also be used to provide heat to the rheumatic joints. These bottles just need to be filled with hot water and these are ready for use. The best thing about these bottles is that they are reusable so it is a good investment to make which can benefit you for many years.
Heated Swimming Pools
If you are arthritic, using a heated swimming pool can also help relieve muscle stiffness and pain. Moreover, the buoyancy of water also reduces pressure on the joints.
Warm Bath
Taking a warm bath for about 20 minutes can also help relieve joint and muscle pain. To improve the benefits, Epsom salt as well as magnesium sulfate crystals can also be added to the water. This is because magnesium is known to improve bone health.
Warm Shower
Taking warm showers for 10 to 15 minutes is also ideal for the management of joint pain and muscle stiffness. The ideal temperature of water in this regard should be between 92 to 100°F or 33.3 to 37.7°C.
Home-Made Hot Pack
A homemade hot pack can also be prepared by warming up a towel in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds. After heating, the patient can wrap this towel around their affected joints.
Paraffin Wax
The use of paraffin wax for providing heat therapy to painful joints is also common. This method works by heating up the paraffin. It is essential to make sure that its temperature is not too hot for the skin. The patient just has to put their painful joints in paraffin until it hardens. The warmth from the paraffin travels into the bones and muscles and thus pain is effectively reduced.
Hot water bottles can also be used for heat therapy
Heating Pads for Joint Pain at Health Supply 770: Products and Specifications
Heating pads are the products that generate heat and help relieve joint and muscle pain as well as stiffness. These items are particularly useful for patients who are dealing with arthritis as the condition is accompanied by moderate to severe pain in the joints thus resulting in limited mobility.
Apart from arthritis, heating pads can also be used for the management of menstrual cramps, and muscle stiffness in the back, and neck region, as well as in the limbs. Owing to their vast applications and high demand, many brands manufacture different types of heating pads some of which have been discussed in the following section along with their prices as well as purchase links:
Drive Medical RTL19G007GR Digital Heating Pad
US$36.49
Product Details
Drive Medical RTL19G007GR digital heating pads are items that are known for the comfort they provide to patients. These products are lightweight i.e. 1.5 lbs and have a length of up to 24 inches with a height of 0.25 inches. These grey-colored heating pads are constructed using polyester which is a strong and long-lasting material.
In addition, polyester is not a high-maintenance material and needs fewer washes. However, for washing these Drive Medical heating pads, the product can be thrown into the washing machine and light washed followed by air drying for a few hours.
Drive Medical RTL19G007GR digital heating pads can also be used in both dry heat settings as well as moist heat settings. As for the changing between the two, there is a need to insert an absorbent sponge into the heating pads which becomes a source of moist heat. In addition, the time setting features are all automatic and digitally displayed.
The time required by these Drive Medical heating pads is shorter and they become hot within a few seconds. This is advantageous as these start working on the muscles quickly as soon as they are started. However, for the purpose of enhancing the user’s safety and prevention of fire, these heating pads have an automatic shut-off feature that switches the device off after 2 hours of consecutive use.
The temperatures as well as the countdown timers which can be set in the device are 113℉, 122℉, 131℉, 140℉, 149℉, and 158℉ and 0:15, 0:30, 0:45, 1:00, 1:30, and 2:00 respectively. Additionally, the elastic fastening straps attached to the device also keep it in place with minimum risk of slippage.
1034 Home Aide Comfort Heal Electric Heating Pad 12″x24″
US$23.88
Product Details
1034 Home Aide Comfort Heal heating pads 12″x24″ are another heat therapy option for patients dealing with arthritic pain. These products are broad and cover ample area on the knees and other joints. The construction material is extremely soft and lightweight. Therefore, the product is not bulky and heavy and can also be easily carried along while traveling. In addition, these heating pads require minimum space for storage as well.
The heat retention property of these Home Aide Comfort Heal heating pads keeps the warmth locked inside them and thus works for longer. Moreover, the material does not cause skin irritation and rashes. As for the heat settings, the product can be used at low, medium, and high temperatures. Like the Drive Medical heating pads, these Home Aide Comfort Heal heating pads also have an auto shut-off feature for enhanced user safety.
These heating pads can be operated at both dry as well as moist heat settings as moist heat is considered more effective for joint pain due to its high penetration. The product is a great option for those suffering from arthritis as well as for those who have issues like muscle spasms, stiffness, menstrual cramps, etc.
These 1034 Home Aide Comfort Heal heating pads are also suitable for the management of Raynaud’s disease as they improve blood circulation in the area where they are applied. This helps increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the painful joints and muscles. These can also be used for comfort and coziness while sleeping.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. They may vary over time.
The elderly often suffer from pain in their hands and feet due to arthritic condition
The different types of heating pads for joint pain, in addition to other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link given in the article to check out different types of heating pads for joint pain.
Bottom Line
Heat and cold therapy are two of the well-known ways for the management of joint pain due to arthritis. Although both have their own working principles as well as efficacies, we have focused on heat therapy in this article. Providing heat to the painful and stiff joints helps them become relaxed. Moreover, the method also increases the patient’s pain tolerance with time.
For this purpose, several techniques can be followed one of which is the use of heating pads. As heating pads, especially electric ones, can maintain a consistent heat supply to the affected area, these are considered better than using a hot water bottle or taking warm baths, etc.
Hence, it is safe to say that the use of heating pads for joint pain is an effective and budget-friendly method that delivers as well. For purchasing heating pads for joint pain, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
