What's the best way to heat soft tissues?

Muscle pain? Arthritic or rheumatoid Joint pain? The evidence still supports and advocates the use of heat modalities for pain relief, muscle relaxation, anti-inflammatory properties and vaso-dilation! In summary, heating our painful areas is pretty efficient! But there is more than one way to skin a cat! So which is the best way to heat our ailments? This can be split into 2 categories: Topical and Latent thermal

1. Topical

The market is swamped with various amounts of heat and cold sprays, gels, packs, creams and rubs. Certain branding implies and claims to get far down to the problem. But do they?

Let's think about this logically. When you go out in the rain, in a short sleeved top or when you have a shower and your skin gets wet, does the water penetrate the non-porous, natural barrier to infections that our body has? When you spray deodorant under your armpits, does the scent get below the skin? How can the products get to the heart of the problem, when we have a non-porous protective layer that we lovingly call skin to prevent such situations?

Finally, why do these products have disclaimers regarding keep out of the eyes and orifices? Because they can cause irritation if penetrating the skin!

Some people with sensitive skin, for example psoriasis have reported skin irritations to such products and in extreme cases, have required medical help! Let's not forget psoriasis can be an indicator for rheumatoid arthritis, and heat is a recommended management modality for RA

These products are targeted at people who are seeking a quick fix and minimal effort. "Spray and carry on."

2. Latent thermal

Something that drives heat deep to the required area. In short: A hot water bottle or a wheat bag. Something that radiates heat. Stand near your radiator, you can feel the warmth. Put a hot water bottle in your bad, it warms it all up. Place a hot water bottle or a wheat bag on your affected area, it will radiate and conduct through the layers of the skin and reach the target areas. It may take approximately 20 minutes per heating session, but the effects far out way the relatively longer period of time.

Finally, cost. Buy a hot water bottle or a wheat bag and you have one for life. Buy a consumable product, once it runs out, you have to replace it. And you will get through it quickly, because you will continually reapply due to its inefficiency. If funding is limited, then wet a flannel, pop it in the microwave and that can be just as effective. No cost whatsoever! Heat works. But it has to be the most effect heat modality. Think twice before you consider buying a can or a tube of something, they mot be as efficient as you believe. Finally, it may not be the quick response you were hoping for.