Does heat help against back pain?
Can heat help with back pain? Heat can certainly help relieve back pain. Applying heat to a specific painful area on the back can provide relief from back pain. The heat ensures that blood circulation is increased. This results in extra nutrients and oxygen being brought to this particular area. This will speed up the healing process. The heat can also reduce muscle tension and pain. The nerve endings are calmed.
“Heat is a simple, effective way to relieve pain and relax muscles.” -Dr. Robert Gotlin, director of sports medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.
Causes of back pain
A solution for back pain is nice, but the cause of the back pain is very important. In addition to the fact that heat can provide relief, there may be other things you can do to address or prevent back pain.
Some common causes of back pain:
- Poor posture: more and more people suffer from back pain due to poor posture. This can be due to your posture while sitting, but also while standing.
- Overload: if you strain your back too much, for example through physical activity, this can lead to back pain.
- A muscle strain: a wrong movement or too much pressure on a muscle can cause you to get a strain.
- A hernia: an intervertebral disc puts pressure on the nerves in the back.
- Various conditions: such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, osteoporosis.
How can I use heat against back pain?
You have several options to use the heat against back pain. There are heating blankets, a hot water bottle, a hot shower or a warm bath. It is important to ensure that the temperature is not too high. Or that you do not use the heat in the area for too long. This can cause the skin to become damaged or, on the contrary, not relieve the pain, but worsen it.
Infrared sauna against back pain
Of course, the sauna is also a helpful tool. In addition to the heat that infrared saunas emit, an infrared sauna will also be able to penetrate deeper into the skin compared to other methods mentioned. This means that it can provide even more relief to the muscles.
For example, taking a warm bath can certainly help relax the muscles. However, the heat will not penetrate. In addition, the pain will often return as soon as you leave the bath. The infrared of the infrared sauna ensures that the heat is transferred directly to the body. This ensures that the muscles are helped deep down with relaxation and that blood circulation is improved . This helps to ensure that pain relief can also be achieved in the longer term.
Does heat worsen back pain?
Sometimes it may be that, for example, treatment with cold remedies is better. For example, when there is inflammation or swelling in the back that causes the pain. It may be that heat actually makes the pain worse. In that case, for example, treatment with ice might be a better option. If in doubt, it is always advisable to consult with your doctor.
Breathing exercise for back pain
Performing breathing exercises can sometimes help relieve back pain. In addition, it can help with better posture and of course better breathing. Breathing exercises can help strengthen the muscles in the back and abdominal wall. An infrared sauna is very suitable for performing breathing exercises. In addition to the heat against back pain, you can train breathing in a quiet position and relaxed environment.
“Infrared sauna therapy may be helpful in relieving back pain and improving blood circulation to the back muscles.” -Dr. Frank Lipman
Flamengo infrared sauna blanket
At home in a comfortable position in your own private sauna. The Flamengo infrared sauna blanket is ideal for using infrared heat against back pain. This is when you are suffering.
In addition, to prevent back pain by regularly relaxing the muscles optimally and promoting blood circulation.
