Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is muscle pain after intense physical activity, with hot therapy effective within 48 hours for healing.
Acute musculoskeletal injury or sprain
Recent evidence supports Peace and Love injury management protocol, focusing on protection, elevation, avoiding anti-inflammatory drugs, compression, education, optimism, and exercise for acute injuries.
Chronic muscle pain or joint pain
Hot therapy is recommended for chronic neck, back, knee pain, especially in rheumatoid arthritis and joint arthritis.
Joint stiffness or muscle tightness
Hot therapy improves tissue and joint flexibility, decreases fluid viscosity, and impacts connective tissue distention.
Menstrual pain
Hot packs reduce menstrual pain by relaxing uterine muscles and abdominal muscles, increasing vasodilation and reducing pain in the pelvic region.