Staying healthy in the fight against fibromyalgia symptoms might need to include some heat. Although everyone is different and some individuals will prefer the cold to heat, trying a variety of heating options may help alleviate your symptoms.
Deep heat and superficial heat can both be effective, so test out a couple different heating techniques to see which one works best for you. There are so many tools, exercises, water wraps, pads and waxes to choose from; you will surely find one type of heat that works well for your fibromyalgia symptoms.
Heat therapy has long been associated with helping muscle soreness, now use those same techniques to help with your pain.
Tools and Gadgets to Make Life Hot
Massagers and other gadgets that heat up may be a first choice when you are looking for a heating option to help with your fibromyalgia. Although this type of massage and heat seems like it would be extremely helpful, many people find that the massagers with the heat is actually painful.
If you can find a back massager with a variety of settings, so you can put it on a light massage, you may find it more useful than a back massager without adjustable settings. Make sure to try these gadgets out in the store before purchasing one and bringing it home. Take your time when buying one of these devices so you can find the one that works best for you without increasing your pain and tenderness.
Exercise to Warm Yourself Up
Staying active is an important part of keeping your body healthy and fighting your fibromyalgia symptoms. Warming up your muscles by increasing your cardiovascular activities may help you find some relief from your muscle pain.
Walking, bike riding and swimming are all ways you can internally warm up your muscles and see some relief from your fibromyalgia symptoms. Low impact exercises will work best and you can combine this muscle warming with other heat therapy such as heating pads, hot tubs and heat wraps.
Water and Heat work Together
A hot bath is known as one of the best ways to relax your muscles, no matter what health issues you may have. You can instantly feel the relief in your muscles as you soak into a deep warm bath at the end of a long day. If you have access to a hot tub at your gym or local fitness center you can find even more relaxation with one of these deep tubs.
Stay away from the massaging jets though, as they may cause increased muscle tenderness. If your gym has a sauna, with steam, you might enjoy giving this a try as well. Saunas are another great resource in providing heat therapy to your muscles and your joints. Make sure to abide by the time limits so you do not over do it in the saunas.
Wrap it Up with Some Warm Towels
Warm towel wraps are popular in spas and massage therapy businesses. But you can make your own warm towel wrap right in the comfort of your home. Simply dip a hand towel into some water and wring out the excess fluid. Then put it into the microwave for a short period of time to heat the towel up.
It should only take 15 to 30 seconds to get the towel feeling nice and warm. Be careful when removing it from the microwave as it could be extremely hot, test out different times to get the towel at just the perfect temperature for you. You can use small and large towels for this heat therapy and wrap them around any part of your body that is feeling sore.
Heat Packs and Heating Pads
Heating pads are the devices that you plug into the wall and can set to a variety of temperatures. Typically these are used on your back or other area that you can press up against. Heating pads come in a variety of sizes and styles so you are sure to find one that works well for you.
A heating pack is a gel filled pack that can be put into the microwave. Heat packs look similar to ice packs, but you heat them up instead of freezing them. Heat packs will lose their heat over time and need to be re-heated, while heating pads will stay warm as long as they are plugged in. At the first signs of an increase in your fibromyalgia symptoms you should try a heating pad or heat pack to see if you can ward off an increase in your pain.
Wax, Not just for Your Legs
If you are having pain in your hands or feet, try doing some paraffin wax treatments. These treatments will ease your fibromyalgia symptoms while also giving you smoother skin. You can get a paraffin wax treatment at your local nail salon or purchase a machine to do it at home.
Simply warm the wax up and dip your hands or feet into the wax. Let it sit on you for a few minutes and then you can remove the wax easily by sliding it off. Some people find putting their hands or feet into plastic bags after applying the wax makes their joints feel even better, and it makes the warmth last longer.
Stay Safe around the Heat
If you are using a heating device that plugs in, it is important that you are not using any other liquid heating methods. Keep electrical heat separate from water and other fluids at all times to keep yourself and your family safe. Never use wet towels while using a heating pad.
Finding the right heat therapy for you might take a few tries, or perhaps you will find that all these methods are useful to you. Heat is a great way to keep your fibromyalgia symptoms away and also a great way to relax after a long day. Take the time to use heat therapy before you feel your symptoms getting out of control.
Further reading:
9 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fibromyalgia Pain and Fatigue: http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-pain-10/slideshow-pain-fatigue
Heat Therapy: http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_heat_therapy.html
Fibromyalgia Tender Points: http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-tender-points-trigger-points?page=2
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