Heat Pad or Ice Bag, What Should I Use for Shoulder

As with many forms of joint pain, shoulder pain has an ever-present impact on your life. Shoulder pain can have a variety of causes, from gym injuries to arthritis, so it's important to understand what may be causing it and how to treat it.

You may have read that heat and cold can help relieve shoulder pain, but what is the difference between hot and cold pain relief and which one is best for you? Follow MULAN to read on for a complete guide on relieving hot and cold pain and getting your shoulder moving freely again.

When to use heat

Heat treatment for shoulder injuries heated on the shoulder increases blood flow to the area, which means it can be beneficial for symptoms that may be caused by poor blood circulation. This means that heat on the shoulder helps treat frozen shoulder or stiffness as well as muscle spasms and does help relieve arthritic pain. It also helps to relax spastic muscles.

When you apply something hot to your body, the heat receptors in your skin actually partially block the chemical pathways that send pain signals to your brain, so heat therapy is also ideal for general pain relief. We recommend using an electric heat pad to relieve shoulder pain. The MULAN Shoulder Heat Pad, made of soft, comfortable material, can be applied directly to the shoulder without any risk of burning, giving you the freedom that you don't have with a regular heat pack or hot water bag.

Depending on the area of pain, it may be better to use a professional neck and shoulder heat pad, which can be fixed on your neck and over your shoulders.

35" x 17" Heating Pads for Neck and Shoulders

When to use cold and ice

You've all seen the woman who applies cold to her shoulder, the soccer or rugby player who goes down with an injury, causing the physical therapist to come on with ice packs and cooling sprays. But what is this for? Well, immediately after an injury, your body pumps extra blood to the area so it can begin to heal. Sometimes, blood or other fluids can seep into the surrounding tissue, causing bruising, inflammation and heat in the injured area.

An ice pack applied to the wound will narrow the blood vessels, restricting blood flow to the area and reducing swelling. If you've suffered an impact injury at the gym, cold therapy is the way to go! Ice packs help reduce any type of swelling that may be caused by arthritis or other underlying conditions.

The cold has the effect of numbing the nerves and making your shoulder less painful. Always make sure to wrap an ice pack in a cloth or towel to prevent ice burns. Remember; use cold to reduce swelling and heat to improve mobility.

Arthritis

Arthritis shoulder pain Arthritis is caused by wear and tear on the cartilage of the joints, causing pain in the tendons and ligaments because they have to work harder to move. If you have arthritis in your shoulder, you may feel pain when you stretch your body to reach something above your head, or when you lie in bed. If your shoulder is stiff and sore, use a heat pad. If your shoulder feels warm, swollen and tender, use an ice pack.

If your shoulder pain does not go away after two weeks of cold or heat therapy, you should see your doctor. If the pain started after an accident, or if you suddenly have severe shoulder pain and cannot move your arm, you should see an emergency room.

For people who sit in chairs for long hours and those who face computers, shoulder heating pads are a good choice for you to help blood flow to your shoulders, reduce pain and prevent hunchback. Contact us now, and remember, love your body.