Heat therapy is a simple and effective method that can offer pain relief for back, neck and shoulder pain. It increases the local blood flow as well as the skin temperature which leads to a relaxation of the muscles. The increased blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tissue and at the same time dilutes and washes away painful mediators and metabolic by-products. This helps to restore damaged tissue and to decrease pain.

The therapeutic use of cold or warmth is a well-known physiotherapeutic treatment. Whether to use heat or cold on the affected area depends on the type of pain. Heat has been known for generations to be an effective way to relieve muscle pain such as muscle strain and tension. Cold is recommended for acute conditions, such as acute inflammation or injuries, e.g. sports injuries such as sprains, contusions, bruising and swelling. If you are in doubt as to whether to apply heat or cold, please consult your pharmacist or physician.

Spiral Heat can be disposed of in your regular trash after it is chilled. Care should be taken to keep Spiral Heat out of the reach of children and pets.

Both products can be used for the relief of musculoskeletal pain. They differ in their mode of action. Elastoplast Capsaicin Medicated Heat Plasters activate the body heat by means of a pharmacological ingredient and block the pain by inhibiting the pain-transmitting Substance P. Spiral Heat Flexible Heat Patches are an external heat source that provides long-lasting deeply penetrating heat. Both products are effective against muscle pain such as back and neck pain but some people experience the effect of the capsaicin-containing heat products as too strong so Spiral Heat offers a pleasant alternative.

Open the pouch directly before use. Remove the sealing paper from the back of the patch so the adhesive is exposed and place this side on your skin directly over the painful area.