Heat Therapy

heat-therapy-can-relieve-knee-painHeat therapy should only be used or applied when the muscles in the knee are sore, strained, or damaged. Heat should not be applied to injuries that have affected the bones, joints, or cartilage (that is for cold applications) and doing so may result in unwanted or exacerbating results. Heating pads, warm towels, and warm baths are a few examples of how to apply heat therapy to the knee. If the muscles in the knee are experiencing stress-like pain or soreness that doesn’t seem to diminish, heat therapy may be right for you. Heating pads are easy to use, easy to find, and inexpensive. You do need to be careful when using one, as it is advised not to use a heating pad for more than 30 minutes at a time, as topical burning may occur; NEVER fall asleep on your heating pad! Warm towels are easy to use as well, however, getting the temperature exactly right may be difficult. Some sufferers of knee pain notice benefits when they use microwavable packs/bags such as a “Bed Buddy Pack” or other devices filled with organic grains that are heated in the microwave and applied to the area of pain. These packs are safe to use as they are usually made from cloth/cotton/nylon and reduce the risk of topical burns because they naturally cool off on their own. In the end, a nice bath or soak in warm water is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to treat specific types of muscle pain in the knees.