Wheat Bags provide a simple and effective way to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of heat therapy. Heat therapy has often been associated with comfort and relaxation but it can also be used to provide pain relief and promote the healing of many types of muscle injuries. It is also a great way of getting relief from tense or sore muscles and joints. When treating injuries, our wheat bags can be used either hot or cold depending on the nature of the injury. In general, a new injury will cause inflammation with the possibility of swelling. Cooling the area will decrease the blood flow to the injury, thereby decreasing inflammation and swelling. Pain that recurs can be treated with heat, which will bring increased blood-flow to the area and stimulate healing.
The following information is a general guide to when and how to use hot and cold therapies. If you suffer a serious injury or pain continues seek the advice of your doctor, physiotherapist or other health professional.
Heat therapy
Heat opens up blood vessels, which increases blood flow and supplies oxygen and nutrients to reduce pain in joints and relax sore muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The warmth also decreases muscle spasms and can increase range of motion. Applying gentle heat to your body can improve the flexibility of tendons and ligaments, reduce muscle spasms, and alleviate pain.
Different sources of heat can be either dry or moist. Dry heat may dry out the skin whereas a moist heat will often penetrate more effectively. Wheat Bags, when heated correctly, provide a safe source of moist heat that can be applied if you have stiff joints or chronic muscle and joint pain.
The Wheat Bag should not be applied directly to the skin. Instead, wrap it in a thin towel. Other tips for the safe use of Wheat Bag heat therapy include:
- Don't apply heat for longer than 20 minutes, unless recommended by a health professional.
- Don't use heat if there's swelling. Use cold until swelling is reduced, then heat.
- Don't use heat if you have poor circulation or diabetes.
- Don't use heat on an open wound or stitches.
Cold therapy
Cold slows down blood flow to an injury, thereby reducing pain and swelling. Cold therapy slows circulation, reducing inflammation, muscle spasm, and pain. It should be used where swelling or bruising is evident.
The cold treatment should be used for 24 to 48 hours after an injury. Cold therapy is good for sprains, strains, bumps, and bruises that may occur in sports or lifting. Apply a cold 'Freeze Me' Wheat Bag to the injured areas for no more than 20 minutes at a time, removing for 10 minutes and then reapplying it again. Again, wrap the Wheat Bag in a thin towel before applying to protect the skin. If in doubt as to whether to apply heat or cold to an injury, contact your health professional.