Indulge in Warmth
What a Heat Wrap Can Do
Heat, and especially moist heat can help relieve minor aches and pains, which makes it a popular treatment tool in physiotherapy, massage and sports recovery. It relaxes and softens muscles, tendons and ligaments, improves flexibility and speeds up tissue recovery. Warmth typically also relaxes the mind thus enhancing an overall feeling of well-being.
What’s In It
Ideally a heat wrap is filled with rice, often they contain a mix of rice and flax seed. Rice naturally absorbs moisture from the environment, which gives your heat wrap the additional benefit of transferring moist heat to your body. Research has shown that moist heat penetrates the body faster and more deeply than dry heat.
How to Use a Heat Wrap
Place the folded or rolled up heat wrap in a clean microwave oven.
Ensure that the turn table can move freely.
Microwave ovens differ in power. Initially, heat up your wrap for one minute maximum to prevent overheating it. Then increase the heating time in 30-second increments until you have reached the desired warmth. In most cases two minutes will be long enough.
When placing the heat wrap on the body area you want to treat, be sure to pay attention to your sensation to avoid burning your skin.
The ideal heat pad will comfortably wrap around your neck, simultaneously warming neck and shoulders. If it is flexible the wrap also conforms to other parts of your body. Fully unfolded it can be used to lie on and warm up all the muscles along your spine.
Caution and Contraindications
Do Not apply a heat wrap on an acute injury, on a bruised or swollen muscle or on an open wound or site of recent surgery. Heat may increase bleeding. Individuals suffering from diabetes, sensory or cognitive impairment, a circulatory disorder or skin condition should consult a doctor before using heat therapy to ensure it is safe for them.