“The Safe, Natural, Easy to Use Patch -
Good for pain relief too”

HOW HEAT HELPS TO CONTROL PAIN AND SPEEDS THE HEALING PROCESS

1. Primary Pain Control

In lay terms, an application of heat ‘interferes’ with other pain signals currently being sent through your spine to the brain. The peripheral nerves (skin) that normally sense ”heat” and “cold” messages also send those hot and cold messages through to the spine and to the brain. While no one knows exactly all the ways this happens, heat messages do interfere with other more intense pain messages being sent from other nerves into this "relay system." In non-medical terms, it is thought that this ‘confuses’ the brain and helps to close down the signal intensity of the original pain message already in the relay system.

Quick and consistent interference with the more severe, intense pain signals may help stop the progression of these signals from moving into the state of “useless”, but “ongoing” pain when there is no longer any physical reason for the pain. It may also help to stop "remodelling" within the "relay system" that turns pain signals into the disease of pain (maldynia).

2. Increased Blood Flow:

The increase in blood flow also reduces pain by effectively supplying oxygenated blood and nutrients to the damaged-inflamed tissues while washing out the accumulated metabolites that are the result of the immune response to damaged tissues. Increasing blood flow ‘brings in’ important intracellular nutrients and provides for the replacement of more appropriate cell types.

This increase in blood flow and oxygenation is also extremely helpful during the ongoing muscular activities outlined in various recommended physical therapeutic programs, and spinal manipulations designed to help correct any degenerative condition that led to your acute pain episode.

3. Reduced Muscle Spasm or Tension

Heating a painful area can induce whole body relaxation, which is good for stress reduction. During this whole body relaxation, levels of the highly damaging hormone, Cortisol, and 16 other stress chemicals are reduced. It is thought this happens through a descending pain inhibitory pathway while it is helping to inhibit painful muscle tension and spasms.

4. A Fourth Pain Control Theory

This theory involves the direct influence of heat on neuromuscular tissue, including muscle spindles and on sensory nerve conduction, breaking the vicious cycle of pain-spasm-pain – effective in treatment for both acute and many types of chronic back pain.

Bringing pain and inflammation under control increases flexibility and the ability to move. This is very important, as movement is a major part of anyone's healing process.

Additional Reading:

“Heat Blocks Body Pain Signals” -  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5144864.stm