Athletic trainers and physical therapists sometimes use moist heat for pain relief. A company called Duro-Med Industries manufactures the Therabeads Neck Pain Relief Pack for the home-therapy product market. The company's research and development team designed these moist heat packs to alleviate the literal "pain in the neck" associated with chronic tension, headaches, neck injuries and arthritis.
Identification
Duro-Med Industries contoured the microwaveable, Therabeads Neck Pain Relief Pack to fit the neck and shoulder area. The packs, filled with special beads that trap the air's moisture, come with slippage-preventing adjustable hooks and loops.
Function
Therabeads use moist heat to alleviate pain. An understanding of pain physiology provides insight into why this type of treatment is effective. Nerve endings called nociceptors activate in response to injury. Heat stimulates the thermoreceptors, which are special temperature-sensitive nerve endings. These receptors create nerve signals that block the pain signals.
Benefits
Dry-heat devices, such as heating pads, also alleviate neck pain, but they may have a dehydrating effect on the skin. Specialists on the John Hopkins Arthritis Center website advise that moist heat penetrates more rapidly than dry heat. Whirlpools also provide moist heat benefits, but using them is not always practical. Therabeads provide localized moist heat, thereby eliminating the need for total body immersion.
Time Frame
If an injury has caused your neck pain, wait until the resulting inflammation subsides before applying the Therabeads Neck Pain Relief Pack. In most cases, this will be between 48 and 72 hours after the injury. Apply the pack for 15 to 20 minutes a day.
Warning
Overheating the pack may cause burns and skin injuries. Follow the directions carefully. Persistent neck pain may be the sign of a more serious injury. Speak to your doctor before using Therabeads.
