How Heat Therapy Can Help ?
The lower back may have fewer vertebrae compared to the upper and neck areas, but these five vertebrae provide support for your body, and protect your spinal column. The area also supports a range of motions which makes it susceptible to wear and tear and injuries that result in mild to severe pain.
For people experiencing lower back pain, it can get difficult to walk, work, sleep, and engage in their daily activities. Finding a way to relieve it allows them to regain mobility and enjoy their everyday life.
Heat therapy is an effective way to treat lower back pain. It is the application of a heat source to activate heat-sensitive receptors in the body and raise the area tissue temperature to promote pain relief and healing.
Here’s how heat therapy can help with lower back pain.
Calms Muscle Spasms
Some forms of lower back pain come in the form of painful debilitating spasms. Heat therapy relieves tightness in the lower back by relaxing tense muscles. And increasing blood flow which alleviates pain and brings soothing relief.
Breaks Up Pain Transmission Signals
Heat activates temperature-sensitive nerve endings which block the processing of pain signals directly. Heat also stimulate other sensory receptors to decrease pain indirectly giving you pain relief and comfort.
Promotes Healing
When heat is applied to the body, the sensory nerves activate chemical messengers that dilate the blood vessels to speed up blood flow. The blood delivers platelets, white blood cells, and other essential nutrients to the affected tissues to promote faster healing. And helps to flush out lactic acid from strained muscles to relieve pain in the lower back.
Reduces Stiffness-Induced Pain
Heat therapy promotes the stretching of stiff muscles and connective tissue around the lower spine. The treatment provides improved circulation, increased mobility, and an overall sense of relief and comfort.
Helps to Make Therapy Exercises More Manageable
Applying heat to the lower back before a therapy session is a standard intervention that works wonders. The heat expands the blood vessels promoting better circulation in the area of concern.
Additionally, the heat relaxes the muscles, tendons, and ligaments making them more flexible and stronger to take on the stretches and exercises. Heat therapy not only makes it easier to complete the exercises, but it also enables you to get more out of your session for a faster pain relief outcome.
Releases Pain Relief Chemicals
Heat therapy stimulates the release of endorphins which are the natural body’s painkillers to give you a feeling of pain relief. The chemical’s ability to produce feelings of calmness and well-being can go a long way in helping you stay positive as you work on eliminating the lower back pain.
Get the Pain Pain Relief You Need With Custom Rehab Physical Therapy
If lower back pain is interfering with your daily routine, contact our heat therapists at Custom Rehab Physical Therapy. We offer quality and effective heat therapy services to help you find lasting relief from lower back pain. Contact us today to get started.