How to Add Heat to a Shoulder & Elbow Injury

Anyone who participates in physical activity runs the risk of injury. Whether you are lifting boxes at work or throwing the ball around with your friends, you run the risk of straining or pulling a muscle or tendon. Shoulders and elbows are particularly susceptible to injury, because they are major points of rotation and stress for any activity that involves the upper half of the body. Applying proper heat treatments can help alleviate pain and reduce the time needed to heal.

Things You'll Need

• Heating pad or towel soaked in hot water

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Instructions

• 1

  Use only ice, pain killers and rest to alleviate the symptoms of the injury for at least the first two days of treatment to allow the swelling to go down.

• 2

  Use a heating pad or a towel soaked in hot water to apply heat to the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes then remove it for at least an hour.

• 3

  Repeat as necessary throughout the day to alleviate pain.