Could Heat Therapy Be the Cure for the Many Experiencing Muscle Distress?

Could Heat Therapy Be the Cure for the Masses Experiencing Muscle Distress?

A staggering 71% of Brits have experienced muscle pain at some point, and 50% said they have struggled with joint stiffness, according to research by Deep Heat, the joint and muscle care specialists providing a range of thermotherapy topical solutions.

Muscle Distress is clearly a problem, and one which is affecting all age groups – young and old – as two out of five 18 to 29-year-olds have reported an increase in back problems over the previous year; 47% of 18 to 29-year-olds and 47% of adults age 60 and over have had to rest due to lower leg, ankle, or foot discomfort1 and more than a quarter of adults aged 60 and over have experienced a muscle strain or sprain[1].

Physiotherapist and advisor to Deep Heat, Sammy Margo, says that no one is immune from muscle and joint issues. Plus, if injuries aren’t dealt with properly, with emphasis placed heavily on rehab, it could cause injuries to re-emerge, preventing us from living a comfortable and active life.

Worryingly though, the number of people who ignore their discomfort is fairly high. Around three-quarters of 30- to 44-year-olds know the warning signs that their body is telling them to slow down or give it some TLC; however, 55% would not miss a work meeting if they were in discomfort. Plus, 23% say they would still go to an event they had agreed to, regardless if the muscle or joint pain was worsening.

Sammy Margo says that caring for our muscles and joints is extremely important, yet 58% of Brits say they don’t actually know how to care for their muscles. This is where heat therapy comes into its own.

A young woman with pain in the base of her foot

The Power Of Heat
“Heat therapy is something I recommend to all my clients as a means of helping ease muscular aches and discomfort. Deep Heat products offer convenient and effective solutions to help frustrating muscle tension,” says Sammy.

“It also aids with injury rehab, helping to realign muscle fibres and reducing the chance of injuries occurring again,” she adds.

Interestingly, the Deep Heat study found that one in two respondents believe that heat therapy can support muscle rehab and long-term recovery from an injury. Plus, over a third (39%) admit that heat therapy is effective, while 38% find that heat therapy eases discomfort.

Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-on Lotion offers a non-medicinal, roll-on heat formula recommended by Personal Trainer Chris Ruxton. “Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-on Lotion offers massage with heat therapy. It has been specifically designed to provide targeted, warming relief to help ease tight, knotted muscles and help muscles heal post-injury.”

The 101 on muscle rehab: Our muscles go through a lot on a daily basis, and even if you’re sitting still, muscles are working to hold you upright. So, muscle rehab is needed to allow healing to occur when muscles are overstretched, overused, go through trauma or simply fatigued. After all, everyone wants to be moving comfortably without pain or aches.

Muscle rehabilitation can involve particular exercises and movements to allow muscles to repair and become stronger, more flexible and more mobile, and it can involve various therapies, including heat therapy, cold therapy, massage and compression. These promote healing and can help to ease swelling.

So how does heat therapy work?
“Heat brings more blood to the muscle and with it oxygen and nutrients. To help with muscle rehab, in order to prevent injuries from re-occurring, heat therapy along with massage can help. The heat essentially helps to improve blood flow to the affected area, which can help reduce pain.

If you’re dealing with pain immediately after exercise, heat therapy can boost circulation and reduce inflammation, the main cause of injury. Plus, heat therapy can relax tight muscles and soft tissue and help muscles move and stretch more easily again. As a result, the Deep Heat thermotherapy range, like the Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-on Lotion, ticks all the boxes when it comes to muscle rehab needs,” explains Sammy.

Injuries can arise not only from exercise but also from day-to-day movements – even picking up the shopping can cause muscle injuries in the back, for example. When we suffer from a muscular injury, ensuring we heal it properly, with the correct rehab practices, means that the likelihood of the injury coming back is far less likely.

“Strains and sprains are common occurrences; however, we don’t want to keep getting ourselves injured. We want to get back to living a normal life,” says Chris, who reiterates how important it is that we live an active life, walking, exercising, and staying mobile.

Chris adds that the Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-on Lotion is an ideal muscle rehab option on the go, at home, or wherever you are. Plus, muscle tightness can also become far less of a problem with heat therapy. A rise in working from home has led to 50% of Brits using a laptop while sitting on a sofa or armchair, while 33% work from their bed[2].

It should be no surprise then that a third of 30- to 40-year-olds who took part in the Deep Heat research poll reported an increase in back problems over the previous year.

A businessman with pain in his neck and shoulder

Chris Ruxton recommends the daily use of Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-on Lotion to ease and release knots in shoulders and backs so you are more comfortable. The range of Deep Heat products is also ideal for before and after exercise. Exercise is important and something we should all factor into our lives.

Yet, the figures show how almost eight in ten Brits (78%) feel they should be doing more exercise. Added to this, nearly half (43%) of Brits don’t warm up before exercising, according to the Deep Heat research, while 52% have admitted that they don’t cool down afterwards.

“Warming up prepares the body for the movement it’s about to do,” says Chris. “If you go straight in without warming up, your muscles aren’t prepared and may still be tense. We want to loosen and soften muscles so they move more easily. Heat also helps realign muscle fibres and break down adhesions and scar tissue following an injury – where muscle fibres have knitted together incorrectly.”

“Muscular injuries from exercise are common, and they can come back as quickly as they healed if they aren’t dealt with properly,” adds Chris Ruxton, who explains that muscular rehab using Deep Heat products can help muscles heal properly.

On the flip side, sedentary lifestyles do our muscles and joints no favours, so if you find yourself sitting still for long periods of time, Deep Heat products should be your new go-to. “Using topical treatments at home can provide a quick self-care solution to discomfort.

The Deep Heat, Pain Relief Heat Patch, is a convenient non-medicinal adhesive patch that can be worn comfortably under work clothes to relieve aches, while Deep Heat Max Strength combines soothing heat with a pain-killing ingredient, methyl salicylate,” said Sammy, who also recommends you get up every hour and move for at least five minutes, to keep muscles moving during the working day.

“Habitual inactivity leads to a slew of health issues known collectively as hypokinetic diseases”.

Stiffness from sitting too long or from sleeping in an uncomfortable position?
“I recommend that my clients use the Deep Heat Heat Rub, a rub that provides targeted pain relief plus it also helps with stiffness including back and rheumatic pain, sciatica, fibrositis, sprains and chilblains,” explains Sammy Margo.

Although ignoring muscle and joint discomfort might seem like the easy and very British way to go about things, it’s only going to lead to more issues down the line. Turning to the Deep Heat topical therapies can offer a convenient self-care solution to make discomfort less of a burden, making day-to-day life that little bit more comfortable. Say hello to Deep Heat @ www.mentholatum.co.uk.

A young woman stretching her body with a yoga pose

Muscle rehab exercises:
Here are a few muscle rehab exercise examples from Sammy Margo, all designed to help muscles to repair and become stronger, more flexible, and more mobile.

Bird dog – for recovery from back pain
Start on all fours with your wrists directly under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Keeping your back and core engaged, extend your left arm out in front of you at the same time as extending your right leg out behind you. Hold for 10 seconds, then return to the start and repeat with the right arm and the left leg. Do this three times on each side.

Back extension – to aid with lower back pain
Start lying down on the ground, face down. Keep your arms down by your side. Engage your back, stay facing down and slowly lift your upper back and feet off the floor. Hold this for 10 seconds, then lower back down to the start. Repeat four times.

Shoulder flexion – to help with shoulder injury recovery
Lie on your back with your arms by your side and your knees bent with your feet flat on the floor. Clasp your hands together in front of your body, and keeping your arms straight, bring them overhead. Pause, then return to the start. Go for five reps.

Glute bridge – for back, hamstrings and glutes
Lie back on the floor with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Keeping your arms by your side, slowly lift your hips off the ground until your thighs and upper body form one straight line. Pause, then lower back down. Aim for ten reps.

References:

  • [1] This research of 1,000 UK-based Britons was commissioned by Mentholatum and conducted by Perspectus Global during August 2022
  • [2] Mentholatum, Winter (2021). Data available on request
  • [3] Deep Heat Pain Relief Spray is a medicine for muscular aches and pains. Always read the label. Please read the label for warnings and precautions for use. Do not use it if you are allergic to any ingredients or pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatories. Not to be used on broken skin, your eyes, or sensitive areas of skin. Not to be used in children under five years. Consult your doctor before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, asthmatic or on any prescribed medicines. Keep all medicines out of sight and reach of children.
  • [4] Deep Heat Max Strength is a medicine for muscular aches and pains. Always read the label. Please read the enclosed leaflet for warnings and precautions for use. Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs. Not to be used in children under five years. Consult your doctor before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, asthmatic or on any prescribed medicines. Keep all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Read more health news, research and guides here.

Could Heat Therapy Be the Cure for the Many Experiencing Muscle Distress? 2

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