Medicine. How Do Heat Packs Work In Taking Away Pain?

Medicine. Physiologicaly Speaking, - I Can Understand If Its Muscle Pain The Heat Would Increase Blood Flow To Muscle - But What Would The Affects B

Medicine : How Do Heat Packs Work In Taking Away Pain

Physiologicaly speaking, - I can understand if its muscle pain the heat would increase blood flow to muscle - but what would the affects be of increased blood flow to an area to remove pain acutely?? - And what if its not muscle pain, how does that work? Just asking cos I find heat packs are really effective, and am curious to know how? Thanks in advance! ~~~ Mrmrmrmr M ~~~

Best Answer To Medicine Question

Heat is relaxing, yes. Plus, when we're cold, our muscles contract (shivering), which hurts an already sore muscle. In joints, the heat helps by warming the synovial fluid, which can become just the slightest bit thinner, which can then be absorbed by the hyaline articular cartilage (covers the ends of bones, think of the little 'cap' on the end of a chicken drumstick.). Anyhow - that cartilage is pretty smooth on its own, but the absorbtion of snovial fluid makes it just a bit softer. (This is why you should warm up before exercising - that cartilage wears down, which causes osteoarthritis) But heat doesn't actually help pain, it just feels better. Cold will numb, and alternating the two is best.

All Answers To Medicine Questions

Answer 1

it relaxes the muscles

Answer 2

Heat is relaxing, yes. Plus, when we're cold, our muscles contract (shivering), which hurts an already sore muscle. In joints, the heat helps by warming the synovial fluid, which can become just the slightest bit thinner, which can then be absorbed by the hyaline articular cartilage (covers the ends of bones, think of the little 'cap' on the end of a chicken drumstick.). Anyhow - that cartilage is pretty smooth on its own, but the absorbtion of snovial fluid makes it just a bit softer. (This is why you should warm up before exercising - that cartilage wears down, which causes osteoarthritis) But heat doesn't actually help pain, it just feels better. Cold will numb, and alternating the two is best.

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