The overall beneficial qualities of heat have long been associated with comfort and relaxation - heat therapy goes a step further and can provide both pain relief and healing benefits for those suffering from bone and joint pain. Heat therapy is also relatively inexpensive and easy to use. It is also very effective especially with lower back and neck pain. Sore, stiff, nagging muscle or joint pain is ideal for the use of heat therapy.

Other options include infrared heat, paraffin (heated wax) baths, diathermy (the generation of heat in tissues by electric currents) and ultrasound (the use of high-frequency sound waves).

The most effective heat therapy products are the ones that can maintain a “warm” temperature. The desired effect is for the heat to penetrate down into the muscles. Simply increasing the temperature of the skin will do little to decrease discomfort. In most cases, the longer the heat is applied, the better. Finally, it is important to use enough insulation between the heat source and the skin to avoid overheating or burning the skin.

Heat therapy can be used in conjunction with other pain relievers, such as over-the-counter pills, but it’s not a good idea to use heat creams or rubs in addition to the heat pad. For many people, heat therapy works best when combined with other treatment modalities, such as physical therapy and exercise.

There are circumstances in which heat should not be used, such as if the lower back is bruised or swollen. Dermatitis, deep vein thrombosis, diabetes and open wounds are also unsuitable for heat therapy.

Because heat therapy is so simple, it is often overlooked and physicians may forget to mention it, but when used in the right way it can be a valuable part of many bone and joint pain treatment programs.