Achy or sore muscles are often a result of over exercise and are common with athletes. Non-athletes also may develop achy muscles if they strain their muscles when lifting heavy objects or doing physically demanding work they are not used to. The medical name for this painful condition is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). It is believed to be caused by the inflammation of the muscle when micro-tears appear in the muscle fibers due to strain. There are several cures for this condition including the application of heat therapy through electric heating pads. Continue reading →

Both heat and cold therapy are used as non-invasive pain relievers for joint and muscle pain. These two therapies are very easy to apply and do not require extensive medical training. Although both therapies essentially serve the same purpose, to alleviate pain, they should be applied differently depending on whether the pain is chronic or acute.

Cold therapy is indicated for new injuries that will most likely lead to inflammation and swelling. The ice will reduce the blood flow to the affected area by constraining blood vessels and consequently decreasing inflammation. On the other hand, heat therapy is recommended for reoccurring pain and it works by increasing the blood flow in the affected area, which ultimately triggers the healing process. Continue reading →