When arthritis pain flares up and interferes with daily life, it is usually due to inflammation in your joints. Arthritis is treated in a variety of different ways, including surgery, pain medication, stretches and exercises, and even diet modification. Sometimes, when quick relief is needed to perform a certain activity or for help sleeping, using a hot or cold pack on the affected area can alleviate some of the pain as well.
Step 1
Inspect the skin surrounding the affected area to ensure it is dry and clear of any cuts and sores.
Step 2
Plug in a heating pad and let it heat up. Get comfortable and place the pad on the sore joint for as long as you need to feel relief. Heat increases blood flow, relaxes muscles and helps eliminate waste to ease pain.
Step 3
Heat a microwavable bag for a few minutes and apply it to the area, or wrap it in a continuous heat wrap product if you don't have an electric heating pad.
Step 4
Place an ice pack on the area to help reduce swelling by decreasing the blood flow. Wrap the pack in a damp towel so it doesn't hurt your skin, and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes. Use a cold gel pack if you do not want to use ice.
Tips and Warnings
- Use heat when you are feeling stiff, and cold when you experience a more acute flare-up kind of joint pain. Choose one method each time, depending on the type of pain you feel. Look for a heating pad with an automatic "on/off" switch in case you fall asleep.
Things You'll Need
- Heating pad
- Ice pack
- Gel pack
- Towel
