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If you’ve been experiencing body aches, soreness, or even pain from menstrual cramps, after a quick Google search, you might have decided that purchasing a heating pad is in your best interest.
When it comes to general pain relief, while medicines can help, “very often, a heating pad used the right way can accomplish the same pain-relieving purpose, says Gbolahan Okubadejo, M.D., a New York-based spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Why? Heat therapy has numerous benefits. “It boosts circulation, which enables oxygen and nutrients to reach muscles and joints. The increased circulation serves to repair damaged muscles, improve stiffness, and relieve inflammation, he adds. Not to mention, heating pads work quickly to relieve discomfort, and are also great natural pain-relieving options for those who prefer to not take over-the-counter meds, such as Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen.