Appendix 1 Medline Search Strategy
1 exp osteoarthritis/ 2 osteoarthritis.tw. 3 osteoarthrosis.tw. 4 degenerative arthritis.tw. 5 exp arthritis, rheumatoid/ 6 rheumatoid arthritis.tw. 7 rheumatism.tw. 8 arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid/ 9 caplan’s syndrome.tw. 10 felty’s syndrome.tw. 11 rheumatoid.tw. 12 ankylosing spondylitis.tw. 13 arthrosis.tw. 14 sjogren$.tw. 15 or/114 16 heat/tu 17 .tw. 18 cryotherapy.sh,tw. 19 .tw. 20 exp hyperthermia, induced/ 21 .tw. 22 .tw. 23 or/1522 24 clinical trial.pt. 25 randomized controlled trial.pt. 26 tu.fs. 27 dt.fs. 28 random$.tw. 29 placebo$.tw. 30 adj ).tw 31 sham.tw. 32 or/2431 33 23 and 32
Best For Knee Pain: Comfier Heated Knee Brace
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Made with soft, velvet-like material
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30-minute auto off timer
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Difficult to put on
Built with two heating levels and five massage modes, the Comfier Brace Wrap is great for relaxing sore leg muscles. Its made with a soft, velvet-like material and the straps are velcro, making for a comfortable and secure fit. As for safety, the knee brace has a built-in timer that automatically turns off the heat at the 30-minute mark.
While the brace is comfortable, our tester noted that it can be difficult to strap around the leg. Because of this, this choice may not be ideal for people with mobility issues. Overall, its a solid choice if youre looking for heat and vibration therapy.
Price at time of publication: $58
Charge Type: Plug-in heating pad | Areas Targeted: Knee | Number of Heat Settings: 2 | Auto Off Function: Yes | Added Features: Massager with 5 modes
Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida
Using Both Heat And Ice
In some situations, applying both ice and heat to your joint may be helpful. Called contrast therapy, this treatment involves alternating between icing and heating a joint. While this option has traditionally been utilized after exercise or participating in a sporting event to aid in recovery, it may be helpful for more chronic conditions as well. This style of treatment can be performed using hot and cold packs or by alternately submerging the knee in hot and cold water.
While individuals who received contrast therapy subjectively reported less overall soreness and muscular fatigue, the research is still mixed. The current evidence is lacking on whether this treatment is helpful in managing the pain associated with a knee injury or in reducing your inflammation levels.
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Does Alternating Heat And Cold Therapy Help
Many people find it beneficial to alternate between heat and cold therapy. You can switch between hot and cold therapies throughout the day. Usually, its best to wait at around 20 minutes between sessions, though you can also alternate between hot and cold water in the shower. Always start and finish with a cold treatment.
Talk with your doctor before alternating between full-body treatments such as an ice bath and a sauna or hot tub.
Why Trust Verywell Health
Receiving her masters degree in public health in 2020, Kayla Hui is a seasoned public health practitioner and health journalist. She has interviewed dozens of experts, reviewed numerous research studies, and tested a plethora of products to deliver well-researched product reviews and roundups. Her goal is to help readers make more informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Additional reporting to this story by Danielle Zoellner
As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life.
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Health & Fitness Leaders Recommend Light Therapy For Inflammation
The clinical results are very encouraging, demonstrating that natural light can play a major role in the treatment of inflammation and pain, without the dire side effects associated with NSAID medications. In addition, a number of physicians and health and fitness leaders have spoken about their own personal success treating inflammation and pain with Joovv red light therapy. Heres a sampling:
Risk Of Bias In Included Studies
The quality of the studies was assessed by the two independent reviewers . The quality assessment addressed the extent to which the RCT design, data collection and statistical analysis minimized or avoided biases in its treatment comparisons . A validated scale was used to perform the quality assessment. This scale includes items pertaining to description of randomisation, appropriateness of blinding, dropouts and consideration of withdrawals and followups with regard to possible effects on data analysis, with a possible total score of 5. Differences in scoring were resolved by consensus. A third reviewer was consulted when necessary. The median methodological quality of these RCTs was 2. No trial scored full points for randomisation, nor for double blinding, and only one reported withdrawals or dropouts.
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Always Start On The Lowest Setting
To start, set the heating pad on the lowest setting. For minor aches and pain, a low setting might be more than enough to reduce pain and stiffness. You can gradually increase the intensity of heat, if needed.
There are no hard or fast rules regarding how long to use a heating pad on your back. It all depends on the level of pain and your tolerance to heat. Even so, if you use a heating pad on a high setting, remove after 15 to 30 minutes to avoid burns.
On a low setting, you can use the heating pad for a longer period, maybe up to one hour.
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Utk Jade Far Infrared Heating Pad For Arthritis
- Increases blood circulation
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UTK Jade Far Infrared Heating Pad for arthritis is the perfect gift for your loved ones. It is designed to reduce pain and inflammation in the joints, muscles, and ligaments. With the help of unique fabrics, transform traditional heating into far infrared heating that penetrates deeper into the tissues.
With the ability to heat up in 10 to 15 minutes, this best infrared heating pad for arthritis is ideal for relieving symptoms of arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, and more. The flexible pad features a thin layer of jade that emits far-infrared energy into your body when heated. The Jade Far Infrared Heating Pad is great for pain relief and relaxation!
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About Upmc Orthopaedic Care
When you are dealing with bone, muscle, or joint pain, it can affect your daily life. UPMC Orthopaedic Care can help. As a national leader in advanced orthopaedic care, we diagnose and treat a full range of musculoskeletal disorders, from the acute and chronic to the common and complex. We provide access to UPMCs vast network of support services for both surgical and nonsurgical treatments and a full continuum of care. Our multidisciplinary team of experts will work with you to develop the treatment plan that works best for you. Our care team uses the most innovative tools and techniques to provide better outcomes. We also are leaders in research and clinical trials, striving to find better ways to provide our patients care. With locations throughout our communities, you can find a provider near you.
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What Our Testers Say
“I liked that the pad’s adjustable belt accommodates a variety of sizes, which is really great for finding a fit that is snug and comfortable. I would love to wear this around all day, because its so snug and discreet that you could keep it with you for whenever you might need it.” Christina Oehler, Health Commerce Editor and product tester
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Heat Pads For Arthritis Pain Relief
Arthritis is a condition that occurs when the cartilage in your joints wears away. This means your tendons have to work harder, and they can become sore or inflamed. In some cases, the cartilage can wear away completely, leading to bone rubbing on bone. This condition can affect any joint in your body, from your neck and shoulders right down to your toes, with symptoms including pain and stiffness in the joints, weakness, and muscle swelling. It is more common in older people, but arthritis can affect people of all ages.
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for either, but with the right treatment, you can relieve the pain it causes and continue to live a normal and happy life.
Q: Which Will Work Better For My Painful Arthritic Joints Heat Or Cold
A: Applying heat or cold to a painful area is a simple, inexpensive method for relieving pain. Cold reduces swelling and numbs the area. Heat loosens up muscles, increases flexibility and increases circulation. For an acute injury, such as a pulled muscle or injured tendon, the usual recommendation is to start by applying ice to reduce inflammation and dull pain. Once inflammation has gone down, heat can be used to ease stiffness.
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For a chronic pain condition, such as osteoarthritis, heat seems to work best. However, some people find that cold also helps to dull the pain.
So whats the answer? Try them both and use whichever works best for you.
Exercise is an important part of treatment for osteoarthritis. Heat and cold can also be used to make exercising a little easier. Try using heat before exercise to loosen up muscles and cold afterward to minimize any achiness.
For heat, soak in a warm bath, hot tub or whirlpool for about 20 minutes. Or take a warm shower. Dress warmly afterward to prolong the benefit. A heating pad is another good way to warm up an area. You can also buy moist heat pads. Or, heat a damp washcloth in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Test it to make sure its not too hot. Wrap it in a dry towel and apply it to the painful area.
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How Does Heat And Cold Help Arthritis Pain
Heat or cold therapy works by stimulating your body’s own healing force. For instance, heat dilates the blood vessels, stimulates blood circulation, and reduces muscle spasms. In addition, heat alters the sensation of pain. You can use either dry heat — such as heating pads or heat lamps — or moist heat — such as warm baths or heated wash cloths.
Conversely, cold compresses reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels. While cold packs may be uncomfortable at first, they can numb deep pain.
Can Red Light Therapy Treat Arthritis
Dr. Raymond Peat has a fairly infamousquote in which he provides anecdotal evidence of the idea that arthritis iscaused by a deficiency of sunlight.
Many people who came to cloudy Eugene to study, and who often lived in cheap basement apartments, would develop chronic health problems within a few months. Women who had been healthy when they arrived would often develop premenstrual syndrome or arthritis or colitis during their first winter in Eugene. Dr. Raymond Peat
A largecomponent of sunlight is in the red and near-infrared ends of the spectrum. So anybody living in an environment whichcontains inadequate sunlight is also receiving inadequate red light. If its true that red light is a majorcontributor to PMS, arthritis and colitis as observed by Peat, then researchtesting red light on patients with arthritis should reveal its benefit.
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Heat Therapy And Cold Therapy Combined For Optimum Effect
For the heating pad treatment to be more effective, the affected joint needs to be treated with the combination of heat therapy and cold therapy. This requires the treatment with heating pads for six times.
When the affected joint is heated, this brings more blood to the area. When it is cooled, it squeezes out blood out of the area. By alternating cold and heat therapy, it significantly increases blood flow to get rid of the pain-causing chemicals.
The 4 Best Infrared Therapy Devices For Arthritis
Luckily, these days you can own an infrared home device, and use it any time you need it, for as long as you need it.
All infrared devices for arthritis are easy to use. You just plug them in and relax for the next few minutes.
No traveling to a treatment center, no waiting until the morning or next week for a doctors appointment.
How Long is Treatment Time for Arthritis?
Treatment time ranges between 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the severity of your pain.
The treatment is painless, and you can enjoy the gentle heat while reading a book, watching TV, or better yet just closing your eyes and resting.
Here are the best options:
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Relief Strategy #: Take A Stretch Break
Tight muscles can also aggravate the sciatic nerve, says Dr. Dhanani. Doing a few targeted stretches can help open up the muscles surrounding the nerve, in turn relieving some of the pressure.
Two stretches to try:
Knee to Chest: Lie on the floor, either with your legs straight or with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, whichever is more comfortable. Raise one knee toward your chest until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of your hip. You can place your hands on top of your knee or behind your thigh. Hold in this position for 30 seconds. Release, switch legs and repeat.
Seated Figure 4: Sit tall in a chair and cross one leg on top of the other, placing your ankle over the opposite knee. Place your hand on the knee of the crossed leg. Lean forward, keeping your back straight, and gently press on the crossed knee until you feel a stretch in your hips and butt. Hold for 30 seconds. Release, switch legs and repeat.
Best Microwave: Suzzipad Microwavable Heating Pads
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Folds easily into the microwave
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Works on multiple areas
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Absorbs microwave smell
Made with flaxseed, millets, and clay beads, the SuzziPad heating pad delivers heat to relieve joint pain, cramps, swelling, and tight muscles. The paneled design allows the pad to distribute heat evenly and can be folded easily. All you have to do is pop this pad in the microwave for 60 seconds and place it on your desired pain area. After one minute in the microwave, you can enjoy up to ten minutes of heat in one session.
Our tester noted that the pad may absorb any odors lingering in the microwave, so its recommended to clean your microwave before heating your pad.
Price at time of publication: $18
Charge Type: Microwave | Areas Targeted: Back, neck, lower abdomen, legs, ankles | Number of Heat Settings: N/A | Auto Off Function: N/A | Added Features: Can be used hot or cold
Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida
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What To Look For In Purchasing The Heating Pad For Rheumatoid Arthritis
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis , it can be very difficult to manage your symptoms, especially when they flare up. A heating pad is a convenient and easy way to help soothe aches and pains associated with RA.
But not all heating pads are created equal there are some key factors to look for if youre in the market for a new one.
1. Temperature control and variability:
Many modern heating pads offer a wide range of temperature settings, so you can adjust the level thats most comfortable for your body.
2. Flexibility/Mobility:
Look for heating pads that are made with flexible fabrics or have slip-on covers so they can be easily repositioned in multiple locations across your spine.
3. Safety features:
Be sure to choose a heating pad that includes automatic shut-off or other safety features, so you can feel safe setting it on higher temperatures and falling asleep while its still plugged in.
4. Padding/comfort:
Heating pads should be comfortable and provide adequate padding, especially if youll be using it for longer periods of time.
The Donts Of Applying Cold Packs For Arthritis
- Cold application is known to worsen the stiffness. Therefore, in general, cold packs should be in case of chronic muscle pain and on stiff joints.
- Never use cold packs on a shivering or febrile person, even the one suffering from arthritic pain you may confuse the brain by sending wrong temperature signals, thus aggravating the already bad condition! Remember, the doctor said, use tap and NOT ice water for sponging your febrile sibling?
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suggests that heat therapy decreases pain and increases blood flow, metabolism, and connective tissue elasticity.
Heating pads come in various sizes and types, including electric, infrared, chemical, and liquid or gel pads.
Relief Strategy #: Go Cold Then Hot
During a flare-up, applying ice packs and/or heat can help bring on-the-spot relief, according to the Cleveland Clinic. At the first jab of pain, reach for a bag of frozen vegetables or an ice pack. Wrap it in a towel and place it over the area for 20 minutes to ease the pain and inflammation. Do this every two hours.
If the cold isnt bringing you the relief you were hoping for, try a heating pad or hot compress. Again, keep it on the affected area for 20 minutes every two hours. Some people also find relief by alternating between cold and heat.
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