Wheat Products

 

Heat therapy, or “Thermotherapy” is one of the most effective forms of treatment that does not require a therapist. Heat therapy has long been associated with feelings of comfort and relaxation, it is also a great method of providing immediate relief from sore, aching, tight or stiff muscles and joints.

 Heat packs are highly portable and you only need a microwave to heat whenever needed.  They can be used as cold packs if put in a sealed “zip lock” bag in the freezer for 10-15 mins.  

History of the use of heat packs:

Heat has been used for centuries as an effective form of pain management and method of reducing joint or muscular stiffness.  Heat penetrates deep into the body to help relieve pain and enhance your healing processes.  The application of  heat packs to your painful joints and muscles stimulates the sensory receptors within your body to block the transmission of pain signals to the brain, this results in an almost instant and effective form of pain relief.  

How does it work?

The major benefit of using a heat pack is its ability, through warmth, to ease muscular pain. The warmth increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles by increasing dilation of the blood cells going to the affected area.
Heat stimulates the sensory receptors in the skin, for example applying a heat pack to your lower back will decrease the transmission of pain signals to your brain and will decrease your levels of pain.
Heat helps the body to heal and the regeneration of any damaged tissues.

Heat therapy, or “Thermotherapy” is one of the most effective forms of treatment that does not require a therapist. Heat therapy has long been associated with feelings of comfort and relaxation, it is also a great method of providing immediate relief from sore, aching, tight or stiff muscles and joints.

The benefits of “Thermotherapy” are rewarding:

*  from increasing the tissue’s elasticity, heat can reduce your resting muscle tension and can help relax those areas of tension,

*  to your body’s reaction to the application of hot/cold helps to improve circulation, which in turn can helps with inflammation and chronic pain by soothing pain-irritated nerve endings.

*  it also helps to dilate the capillaries in your tissue, increasing your blood flow to the painful areas, which brings more nutrients to the injured area and removing injured debris.  This will help increase your healing rate.  A speedier healing rate is also stimulated by the heat increasing your natural metabolic rate which gives the body increased energy to heal the injured area.

*  the body releases endorphins creating the sensation of relaxation and reduction of stress.

People with gout or arthritis can benefit from a small heat pack used during times of inflammation and pain on the area that is affected, relieving stiffness and improving flexibility of ligaments and tendons

Why are heat packs effective?

Heat packs are easily moulded to the affected area and transmit the healing heat through the layers of muscles, tendons & ligaments to the joints of the body. Wheat has great insulatioin properties, due to its cellular structure being able to absorb and evenly distribute both heat and cold. Being portable you can take the heat pack anywhere with you as long as there is a microwave to enable you to heat it.

So you can take it to work, on holidays, use it in the car or at home, just heat and apply.

Storage of heat pack:

By storing it in a ziplock bag you will extend the life of your heat pack. They can be placed in the freezer, in the ziplock bag, and used as a cold pack or to reduce the feelings of heat exhaustion during the summer months.
KR Custom Services makes their custom heat packs with removable cotton covers so that you can remove the cover for washing, keeping your heat pack clean and as germ free as possible.

When should I use heat therapy?

According to most therapists the first 15 minutes of applied heat will be the most beneficial. Most health professionals recommend that heat therapy should be used before exercise which may cause pain, and after to help prevent pain and future discomfort.

Cold therapy is recommended for the first 48 hours after injury, but heat therapy can be used at almost any time there is stiffness, pain or inflammation in the muscles and joints.

For people with arthritis it can help to use heat therapy before starting the activities of the day to increase their ROM (range of motion) and decrease stiffness and pain.

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