Heat therapy is known around the world to be effective, particularly in treating muscle and joint pain. When used warm, the therapeutic compress promotes blood circulation and allows proteins and oxygen to travel to the affected areas, thus naturally relieving pain.
Who is heat therapy for?
Heat therapy is suitable from birth to the end of life! Its therapeutic effects promote relaxation and relieve inflammation and pain, whatever the source. It can therefore be used to soothe pain at all stages of life:
- Early childhood aches and pains, such as colic, teething and otitis
- Growing pains, such as muscular pains
- Pain related to womanhood and motherhood, such as menstrual cramps and breast engorgement
- Sports pain, such as sprains, strains and aches
- Chronic pain, such as back pain, tendonitis and much more.
- Body pains related to chemotherapy treatments
Should you choose dry or moist heat?
There are two types of heat in thermotherapy: dry heat and moist heat.
Dry heat works by dehydrating the skin, which can cause irritation or discomfort. Often delivered using an electric cushion, a water bottle or a dry bottle filled with cherry pits, it is easy to use and provides more or less even and constant heat depending on the type of bottle. To avoid burns, a timer can usually be set on the electric compress so that it stops giving off heat after a certain time.
When used at the same temperature as a dry hot water bottle, moist heat penetrates deep into the muscles and is much more effective in relieving pain and promoting relaxation. In addition, moist heat does not dehydrate the skin like its dry alternative. Because moist heat penetrates deeper, it relieves pain more quickly.
How does moist heat therapy work?
The heat promotes muscle relaxation and pain relief. It relieves joint stiffness by stimulating blood flow to the painful area. The flow of oxygenated blood to the painful area slows down the development of lactic acid, one of the elements that cause sustained pain, especially in the case of osteoarthritis, sprains and strains, tendonitis and muscle spasms or chronic back pain.
The benefits of heat therapy
The benefits of heat therapy are numerous.
Heat is a natural antispasmodic
Known for its soothing effect, heat therapy is particularly effective in relieving pain associated with digestive problems, such as colic, stomach ache, gas, cramps and bloating.
It promotes muscle relaxation
Deep relaxation, comfort and reassurance—moist heat relieves pain and muscle stiffness by forcing muscles to relax. This relaxing effect is why moist heat also helps to eliminate muscle spasms.
Stiffness reduced thanks to heat
Muscle stiffness can be caused by a number of things, such as sleeping in an uncomfortable position or working at home at a less ergonomic workstation. This can lead to reduced mobility and pain in the morning. Moist heat will promote muscle relaxation and relieve pain.
It reduces inflammation
Especially used in contrast hydrotherapy, moist heat used alternately with a cold compress (or a cooled therapeutic bear!) can work wonders to relieve sinusitis. Used repeatedly with moist heat alone, the compress can also treat styes.
Heat helps blood circulation
By promoting blood circulation in the body, injuries heal faster and pain is reduced. This helps to relieve acute pain and contributes to the healing of the tendon in the case of chronic tendonitis.
It relieves stress
Mental stress and tension in the body often go hand in hand and moist heat plays an important role in releasing tension and promoting relaxation.
Using moist heat
At Béké-Bobo, we offer you three magical pads that diffuse moist heat: the therapeutic teddy bear for little ones, the big therapeutic bear and the thermotherapy pads for adults.
The therapeutic teddy bear for little ones
- Measures 13 × 18 cm
- Ideal from birth
- Can be used hot or cold
- Equipped with a removable washable cover
- Available in many colours and patterns
The large therapeutic bear
- Measures 17 × 26 cm
- Can be used from the age of 6 or on people weighing 25 kg and over
- Includes an organic cereal pouch
- Equipped with a removable washable cover
- Made under ethical conditions in Quebec
The thermotherapy pad
- Measures 20 × 30 cm
- For people weighing 25 kg or more
- Contains a patented cereal blend
- Available in 4 different designs
- Delivered in less than a week
These three hot compresses are easy to use and provide quick and effective pain relief. For detailed instructions, see our article on how to use the Béké-Bobo bear.
Small warnings before use
Always make sure to respect the heating time and to control the temperature of the heated compress before applying it to avoid any risk of burning. If you have a serious heart condition, diabetes or any other medical condition, consult your doctor before use.
Discover the benefits of moist heat
Are you ready to discover heat therapy and its miraculous soothing effects? We are confident that, like the thousands of people around the world who have adopted a Béké-Bobo bear, you will never want to be without one again!