Heat Therapy For Neck Pain

Generally, heat should not be applied to an acute neck injury (3-4 days) or where discoloration or swelling is present. Heat can produce an increase in internal bleeding and swelling where there is significant damage. A strain of a muscle is similar to a cut on a finger. There is pain, swelling and bleeding. You would not use heat initially until the bleeding stops and the tissue forms a scab or scar. Initially, the use of ice for neck pain relief would be recommended, except if you wake up in the morning with a stiff neck from sleeping under a cold draft; Then use heat.

Heat may be used to ease chronic neck pain associated with arthritis and/or poorly healed neck injuries. The easiest and most effective way to apply heat to the neck muscles is the use of neck wraps designed specifically for the neck.

Other methods of applying heat for neck pain relief are hot showers, hot water bottles, hot tubs and electric heating pads.

Hot water bottles are frequently used to apply heat. Fill the bottle half full of hot water. Remove the excess air by pressing it above the water level with your hands, this helps it conform more readily to the body. Check the temperature against the back of your hand or forearm to make sure it's not too hot. A towel wrapped around the bottle provides comfort and safety. After applying heat, hang the bottle upside down to dry. A disadvantage to this method is that the water cools rapidly and must be changed frequently.

Hot tubs or heated whirlpools can relax neck muscles and ease joint stiffness. The temperature of the water should be about 104F (40C). Higher water temperatures may produce a sensation of fever and/or drowsiness. Do not drink alcohol while using a hot tub. I do not recommend this method for the neck, instead, use a shower which can be more easily controlled and provides a better neck posture.

Another method to apply heat for neck pain relief is electric heating pads. Again, I do not recommend this type of heat for the neck. Most electric heating pads are not designed for the neck, have limited flexibility and may cause burns if set too high and you fall asleep during use. Additionally, many electric heating pads use a dry type of heat which may cause congestion and irritation. You should never; lay on the heating pad, use pins or other metal fasteners, use without a cover or fold sharply.

A word of caution when applying heat therapy to the neck. Never apply creams, gels or ointments like biofreeze, icy-hot or bengay prior to the heat. These types of products can cause a numbing sensation and prevent you from feeling exactly how hot the heat really is on your neck. A nice way to continue therapy after using heat is to apply on of our healing herbs products as the warmth generated from heat application allows deeper penetration.

Another note about the disposable heat packs advertised frequently. Continuous low level dry heat has been around for many years and the disposable hot wraps that stick to your body designed for 8 hours of application uses use iron oxidizing technology which produces a dry heat applied directly to the body has not been proven to be more or less effective than a single 20 minute moist heat application. Some materials in disposable heat wraps are toxic if swallowed and can cause irritation when held against the skin for hours.

Heat is a great method to ease neck muscle soreness. I recommend using a neck wrap for 15-20 minutes prior to using the neck exercises recommended here to warm up the muscle for added flexibility. Another effective way to use heat is in conjunction with self massage to specific areas of neck muscle strain called trigger points.

If you have questions related to using heat for neck pain relief, please feel free to contact Neck Solutions.