Using A Hot Water Bottle: Experts Opinions On The Benefits Of Using A Hot Water Bottle
Using A Hot Water Bottle: Arthritis Foundation, Heating a painful joint dilates blood vessels, allowing more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to flow to the area, which helps alleviate pain.
When minor aches strike, many of us turn to over-the-counter painkillers. However, doctors suggest that in some cases, a hot water bottle may help reduce discomfort. According to experts, hot water bottles can alleviate joint stiffness, muscle pain, and menstrual cramps.
Using A Hot Water Bottle, Beyond keeping you warm, hot water bottles offer additional benefits. Dr. Caitlyn Mooney, an assistant professor in sports medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told Yahoo Life, “One of the greatest advantages of a hot water bottle is its affordability and accessibility, making it a useful option for those who cannot take painkillers.”
The Benefits Of Using A Hot Water Bottle
Hot Water Bottles Reduce Muscle Stiffness And Joint Pain
Dr. Mooney highlights that reducing stiffness and joint pain is one of the main advantages of hot water bottles. According to the Arthritis Foundation, heat therapy using hot water bottles or steamed towels is “one of the oldest, cheapest, and safest forms of complementary therapy.”
Using A Hot Water Bottle, Research indicates that heat therapy can relax joints, improve circulation, and reduce stiffness. The Arthritis Foundation explains that heating a painful joint dilates blood vessels, allowing blood, oxygen, and nutrients to flow to the area, ultimately helping to alleviate pain. This is why heat therapy is often recommended for back and neck pain.
Hot Water Bottles Improve Flexibility
Using A Hot Water Bottle, In addition to easing joint stiffness, hot water bottles can also relieve sore muscles. Dr. Mooney notes, “Some people use hot water bottles to warm up or stretch their muscles before exercise to prevent injury.”
While the exact mechanism of how heat therapy benefits muscles isn’t fully understood, Dr. Mooney explains that its effects on muscles might be similar to its effects on joints—improving blood circulation and delivering essential nutrients to the muscles. Studies suggest that applying heat before stretching can enhance flexibility and range of motion while softening collagen fibers that play a role in muscle repair and growth.
Hot Water Bottles Relieve Menstrual Pain
Using A Hot Water Bottle, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends placing a hot water bottle on the abdomen or lower back to relieve menstrual cramps. As mentioned earlier, heat increases circulation, alleviating cramps and pain. Hot water bottles can also provide relief for back pain during pregnancy. ACOG advises wrapping the bottle in a towel to avoid excessive heat.
Hot Water Bottles Keep You Warm
Dr. Mooney points out that in addition to their specific benefits for joints, muscles, and menstrual pain, hot water bottles can keep you warm. You can place one under your blanket before bedtime.
Using a hot water bottle is simple: just open the cap, fill it with hot water, and place it on the area where you need relief.
Safety Precautions
Dr. Mooney emphasizes that the biggest risk of hot water bottles is burns. These bottles may puncture, burst, or leak, so ensure the water is not excessively hot to avoid scalding the skin. Always confirm the bottle’s cap is tightly closed. Use the bottle for no more than 15 minutes at a time, and if you notice redness or irritation on the skin, remove it immediately.
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