The ache in your back that just won’t go away and the pain from twisting your ankle will both have you searching for ways to relieve your pain. But these are two very different kinds of pain. Depending on their cause, the prescribed medical treatment might also be very different.
The first kind of pain, usually resulting from an injury, is acute pain. Some examples are sprains, burns, scrapes and contusions. When you have acute pain, your first instinct is to go to the doctor or pharmacy so you can begin treatment immediately. The defining characteristic of acute pain is that it does not continue indefinitely. It typically lasts for fewer than six months (often far less than that) and is usually resolved when the cause is successfully treated.
The second kind of pain is called chronic pain. The defining characteristic of chronic pain is that it can go on for weeks, months or even years. Some examples include back pain, neck pain; joint pain; arthritis pain; headaches and even pain without a known cause. Always see your doctor regarding treatment options for this type of pain.
Chronic pain can reduce physical ability and can even lead to depression. Physically compensating for the pain by changing the way you sit, walk or sleep could also aggravate or increase pre-existing discomfort. There are many ways for chronic pain sufferers to temporarily relieve their pain, but unfortunately, many of the treatments can have unwanted side effects and can be expensive for long term use.
The first and most common way to manage chronic pain is with over-the-counter (OTC) or doctor prescribed drugs. However, many chronic pain sufferers are becoming concerned about the types, safety and quantity of drugs they are taking. Often, the medications prescribed can have physical or psychological side effects, risk dependency or may have potentially dangerous interactions with other drugs you may be taking. One popular and natural way to help manage pain with less dependence on drugs is a moist heating pad.
With many medical professionals now recommending heat therapy, the quality and effectiveness of these products has grown. Old-fashioned remedies are being replaced by products that employ new materials and technologies to deliver safer, more effective and easier-to-use heat treatments.
Heat therapy treatments come in two types: dry heat and moist heat.
? Dry heat therapy is available with traditional products like electric heating pads and the new warming patches that are worn for eight hours. While many people find these treatments effective, they can be potentially dangerous. The need to constantly replace disposable patches can be very expensive.
? Moist heat treatments are medically preferred over dry heat treatments because moist heat penetrates more quickly and deeply (and at lower and safer temperatures). Today, with the introduction of microwave activated moist heat wraps and pads, the same moist heat treatments used daily in clinics, doctor’s offices and sports training facilities can be attained at home. These treatments are easy to prepare and apply.
Thermalon Microwave Activated Moist Heat pads, for example, are ready in a minute and when applied for just 20 minutes they deliver hours of relief. The Hydro Pearls in the wraps create moisture naturally so adding water is not necessary. Just microwave and apply any time for a natural pain relief treatment. Thermalon wraps, which can be found at Walgreens, CVS and other drugstore and food chains, are washable, reusable and economical for daily use.
Ask your doctor if moist heat therapy could be part of a plan to manage your pain more naturally. More information about moist heat therapy products is available at www.thermalon.com. – Courtesy ARA
