Differences Between Moist Heat or Heating Pad

Heat therapy offers many benefits, primarily pain relief. When dealing with muscle or joint pain, the use of dry or moist heat therapy can reduce your need for over-the-counter pain medications while providing comfort.

What Is It?

• Dry heat therapy is use of a heating source over painful areas. Moist heat therapy adds some type of moisture source along with heat.

Distinctions

• Dry heat can cause dehydration to the affected area. Moist heat dodges this while penetrating deeper into aching muscles. The most common dry heat application is use of electric heating pads.

  Many electric heating pads have protective covers, allowing you to place a moist cloth between your skin and the pad. Other options are steamed towels, a sauna or whirlpool bath. Rice or grain bags can be misted with water prior to heating in the microwave to add moisture.

Supplies

• Heating pads are available at most pharmacies. Heat bags can be made from cloth and organic fillers.

Tips

• If using rice/grain bags, be aware that organic material filling may spoil with age.

Warnings

• People with circulatory problems, loss of sensation, or who have suffered a stroke, head injury or nerve damage should not use heat therapy. It should not be used over cancerous areas, open wounds or infected areas.