Is heat good for arthritis? How keeping warm could help those with arthritis

Heat has long been known to have soothing effects, from the comfort of sinking into a warm bath after a long day for aching joints to holding a much-needed hot drink in your hands for sore fingers. But is heat good for arthritis, and how can it help reduce joint pain?

Read our guide to learn about heat therapy, a great non-medical treatment for joint pain and soreness.

Does heat help arthritis pain?

Put simply, heat can help relax the muscles and ease tension. Heat therapy works by dilating the blood vessels to increase blood flow, which can help alleviate pain. It can be especially beneficial for managing chronic pain like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; however, cold therapy is generally recommended for inflammation to avoid increased pain.

Is heat or cold better for arthritis?

Whether heat or cold therapy is better for joints depends on the type of arthritis you have and the joint pain you are living with. If your joints are stiff and sore, heat therapy may help relax your muscles, improve mobility, and ease tension. If your joints are swollen or inflamed, cold therapy is better for reducing inflammation. Browse our hot and cold therapy products to see what works best for you.

Types of heat therapy you can try at home

The classic ‘moist heat’ therapy is a nice, hot (but not too hot) bath you can relax in to let the warm water soothe your aching joints. Hot showers may also help, but being immersed in the water benefits you more.

If you’re finding it difficult to get in and out of the bath, you may want to consider a bath safety aid to give you a helping hand and make bathtime more relaxing. Bath steps can help to reduce the distance you have to raise your legs to get them into the bath. Bath boards stretch across the tub and give you a place to sit while lifting your legs in. If you need a little more help, then it may be worth thinking about a bath lift, designed to gently lower you into the bath and then raise you up again once you’re finished. Don’t forget to wrap up warm once you get out.

‘Dry heat’ options include heat pads, wheat bags, and hot water bottles, which you can place wherever the pain is located. If your neck and shoulders trouble you, you may want to try something like the Lavender Wheat Bag, which you can shape to your body to target specific aches and pains better, easing muscle tension and helping you relax. A heated blanket like the Beurer HD75 Cosy Heated Throw can make sleeping more comfortable, or you can keep things simple and soothe your aches and pains with a hot water bottle.

When to stop using heat therapy

As the old saying goes, you can have too much of a good thing. While heat therapy can be beneficial, it’s important to use it correctly to avoid burns. If you’re using wheat packs or hot water bottles, make sure to keep a cover between them and your skin and follow the instructions for any heat-based product. Some may only recommend using them for short periods to help avoid burns.

Don’t persevere with it if you’re becoming overheated or if it’s not helping you. Avoid it entirely if you’re already hot or your joints are inflamed. No pain, no gain is not a motto to live by here.

Some pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes or vascular diseases, may make it inadvisable to use heat therapy. Always check with a medical professional before trying heat therapy if in doubt.

What to try if heat therapy doesn’t work

If you’ve tried heat therapy before and it doesn’t work, or if you dread the warmer weather due to increased joint pain, consider cold therapy instead. Apply ice/gel packs or hot water bottles filled with cold water to the affected area for a maximum of 20 minutes to avoid further injury.

Cold therapy can be great for inflamed joints to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Please don’t feel disheartened if neither cold nor heat therapy works for you. Everyone experiences symptoms differently, meaning what works for one person may not work for another.

Where to turn for support

Versus Arthritis, the UK’s largest arthritis charity, offers a wealth of information, tips, advice, and suggestions to help those living with arthritis. At Complete Care Shop, we have a wide range of arthritis relief products with products recommended by our quality Occupational Therapists as well as condition guides such as how to help arthritis and how to help someone with arthritis.

However, if pain management is becoming increasingly difficult, and the advice you find online isn’t helping, please speak with your doctor for further guidance and support.

For any more information or advice, don’t hesitate to contact us.