- What is the best microwavable heating pads for muscle strain?
- Video: How to use heating pads for microwave?
- Types of microwavable heating pads you should know about
- What causes muscle contractures?
- Benefits of microwavable heat packs for muscle strain and sprain
- How to use heat packs to reduce muscle strain?
- The best heat packs for microwave for pain reief
Muscle strains and sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injuries during physical activities. They are often very painful and cause discomfort because of the inflammation they cause. It is important to be physically prepared to avoid them, but if an injury does occur, there are treatment options to relieve the pain and inflammation.
One of these is the use of microwavable heat packs, which are suitable for relieving painful and inflammatory symptoms. We will inform you about the main causes of muscle contractures and the benefits of heat therapy.
What is the best microwavable heating pads for muscle strain?
- Size: One Size - 1040gr - 2,31lbs
- Colors: Purple
- Material: Fabric
- Filling: Flaxseed, Millet Seed, Clay Beads
- Uses: Multipurpose
- Microwaveable
- Hot-cold therapy
- Extra soft to the touch
- Long lasting heat therapy
- No material specified
- No size specified
Their ergonomic design effectively covers the neck and provides immediate relief while keeping the affected area warm. The combination of moist heat is generated by the filling of clay and flax seeds, thanks to the rapid heating that occurs in the microwave. It has a Velcro closure, so you should be careful because excessive heat can cause skin burns.
- Size: 71x18cm - 28x7 in - 1070gr - 2,38lbs
- Colors: 10 Models
- Material: Polyester
- Filling: Linseed
- Uses: Multipurpose
- Large size
- Cold-Heat Therapy
- Not machine washable
Don't miss this opportunity to recover faster from neck ailments. Because it is filled with linen, the size of the cereal allows for greater flexibility which helps to increase the contact areas in the cervical area. Because of this you will be able to relieve pain much faster. Its double capsule wrap is also suitable for cold therapy, but keep in mind that since it is made of polyester it does not transfer temperature efficiently.
- Size: 30x22cm - 12x9in
- Colors: White
- Material: Polyester, Lycra
- Filling: HydroPearls
- Uses: Multipurpose
- Extra soft to the touch
- Even heat distribution
- Suitable for various body areas
- Free of scents and chemicals
- Gently washable
- Does not specify weight
It has a pocket that you can use to place in your hand to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. It is designed to get a moist heat treatment so the recovery time is much shorter than other types of thermotherapy. Use this reusable therapy pad for stress relief, but keep in mind that its polyester cover can lead to dermatological complications if you overheat it.
- Size: 28x15cm - 11x6in - 900gr - 1,98lbs
- Colors: Blue
- Material: Fleece and Cotton
- Filling: Rice, Flax Seeds
- Uses: Multipurpose
- Option to add lavender
- Long lasting heat therapy
- Delicate wash due to non-removable padding
For better blood circulation in the muscle fibers, it is possible to place the pad in the freezer for a few minutes to cool down. Then apply it to the affected area and after a while you will begin to feel the effects of cryotherapy. Its design has a cotton fabric and on the other side, a soft fleece lining, but be careful because this part can burn in the microwave.
- Size: 45x28 cm - 17.7x11 in - 1.7kg - 3.8lb
- Colors: Blue, Fuchsia
- Material: Minky
- Filling: Flaxseed, Millet and Clay Beads
- Uses: Various body areas
- Velcro fastener
- Hot-cold therapy
- Quality stitching
- Natural padding
- Not machine washable
- Caution when heating
Thermotherapy will serve to reduce fatigue and give you a general feeling of well-being, so you can use this pad every day. But this is not all you have to do with this thermal wrap, you can also place it in the refrigerator for a few hours to get the benefits of cold therapy. It is suitable to be used by both men and women, but you should consider that, in order to get the moist heat, the polyester fabric can overheat and cause skin ulcers.
Video: How to use heating pads for microwave?
Types of microwavable heating pads you should know about
What causes muscle contractures?
Muscle contracture is considered one of the most common injuries, both in athletes and other people. It is manifested by an involuntary and constant shortening of the muscle fibres. Excessive tension develops in the affected muscle, which also causes severe pain when it occurs suddenly.
The main causes are the following:
- Cold: Ambient cold generally causes vasoconstriction in the periphery, including in the muscles. If any activity is performed under these conditions, muscle contractures may occur. They also tend to occur with very sudden changes in temperature, for example when we are asleep and some extremities are involuntarily raw.
- Muscle trauma: Any blow to the upper or lower limbs can cause a muscle twitch as a reflex reaction. This happens because the body has a defensive reaction to other adjacent structures. It can also be caused by the tearing of muscle fibres triggered by the blow, causing the muscle to contract.
- Poor posture or sudden movements: Sudden movements or poor posture over a long period of time can cause muscle contractures. They usually occur gradually and very slowly, and the pain is much milder. These contractures occur in areas such as the neck and shoulders.
- Due to overuse: This type of contracture is much more common in athletes when they subject their bodies to very strenuous exercise. This causes excessive tension in the muscle fibres, which keeps the muscles contracted. In some cases, the body is unable to return to a state of rest or relaxation at the end of the exercise.
- Electrolyte and metabolic disturbances: Dehydration and loss of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, chlorine and others due to physical activity lead to muscle contractures. This is because the loss of fluids causes toxic substances to accumulate in the muscles, causing involuntary contractions.
- Emotional stress: Constant muscle tension due to emotional stress can also cause contractures.
Benefits of microwavable heat packs for muscle strain and sprain
A number of therapeutic measures can be used for muscle contractures. Thermotherapy or heat therapy is one of the most common, effective and easy to implement therapies.
Anti-inflammatory
This effect is achieved through the vasodilatory action of heat on the tissues. This promotes better blood circulation, which allows for better nutrition and faster recovery. This minimises pain and inflammation and promotes the elimination of toxins that cause greater inflammation and pain.
Relaxing effect on the muscles
The heat stretches the muscle fibres, leading to relaxation and better contraction. Thermotherapy prevents muscle spasms, relieves fatigue and significantly improves the resistance of the tissues.
Effect of tissue recovery
The vasodilatation caused by the heat allows for greater blood flow to the muscles and thus better tissue supply. This improves injuries and optimises the rehabilitation of the affected areas.
Cleansing effect
Toxins are waste products of metabolism and have a strong inflammatory and pain-relieving effect. Heat is an excellent means of cleansing toxins as it accelerates immune processes by activating the lymphatic system. Most of these waste products are excreted through the urine.
How to use heat packs to reduce muscle strain?
You can probably answer this question yourself based on your own experience. The back and lower back, trapezius, shoulders and neck are the most important areas.
- Back: There are many different causes for this (poor sports performance, sudden movements, poor postural hygiene, joint injuries, emotional stress, etc.).
- Lumbar spine or lower back: This is when a lumbar muscle is torn due to excessive exertion (e.g. improper lifting of a heavy object) or a fall, or when it remains in extension.
- Trapezius: The main reasons for the stiffness of this muscle are poor posture (slouching) and stress. The pain itself encourages this inadequate and protective posture and prevents sufficient blood flow, so that the area receives less and less oxygen and its cells can therefore no longer function properly, triggering a vicious circle.
- Neck: This occurs in response to trauma and also as a result of poor posture, especially during sleep. Treatment of this problem is particularly important because of the sensitivity of the area and the consequences of spreading stiffness.
- Shoulders: There are two main reasons for this: Overuse due to poor posture (reaching for high or very distant objects) and stress.
