Hot water bottles have been used for over 100 years to provide warmth and comfort during cold weather. They are usually made of rubber or PVC thermoplastic and are filled with hot water to provide their heat, with their comforting warmth lasting between 4 to 6 hours.
Although they’re most commonly used to stay warm, hot water bottles are actually believed to provide some health benefits! Many people don’t know this, so to share our knowledge, we’ll explore how these simple devices can assist in a number of health-related ailments.
Four Health Benefits of Using Hot Water Bottles
Hot water bottle’s application of heat to the body, generally known as thermal therapy, has been found to have numerous benefits for your health.
Let’s look at some health-related issues thermal therapy can help alleviate:
Muscle Relaxation
Using a hot water bottle can help to relax your muscles, reduce tension, and promote more blood flow throughout your body. The heat generated from the hot water bottle works by increasing blood flow to the affected area, helping to soothe the affected muscles and reduce inflammation.
For those who suffer from muscle cramps, spasms, or stiffness, the relaxation of the muscles can be particularly beneficial.
Pain Relief
Hot water bottles can also be effective in providing general pain relief. The heat from the bottle can help to alleviate pain in the lower back, neck, and joints. To support this, a 2016 study found that including applying heat to the affected area can significantly improve pain relief.
Additionally, hot water bottles are a natural pain reliever. They don’t have any of the common side effects associated with some medications, such as stomach aches or nausea.
They are also a localised pain reliever. Simply place the bottle wherever is sore, and the bottle will help reduce the discomfort felt in that specific area.
Improved Sleep
Hot water bottles are a great aid for those who struggle to sleep at night. The warmth from the bottle has been proven to relax your body and mind, making it far easier to not only fall asleep but to stay asleep.
Stress Reduction
Using a hot water bottle can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. The bottle’s warmth is known to not only relax the body, but also the mind. Those who struggle with overthinking, or are often stressed, can find solace through the use of a hot water bottle.
Stress-related conditions, such as tension headaches or migraines, can be helped by placing a hot water bottle on the head of the user. Although the warmth can contribute to reducing the pain, it shouldn’t be used exclusively to remove the pain.
Who Can Most Benefit From Hot Water Bottles?
The above health benefits are great, but which type of person can gain the most from using a hot water bottle? Below, we’ll discuss some specific types of conditions that hot water bottles can help the most.
Constipation
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Those who have ever suffered from constipation fully understand how it can negatively affect one’s life. Fortunately, hot water bottles are known to help reduce or alleviate the symptoms of constipation.
The heat generated from the hot water bottle can stimulate the sufferer’s bowel movement by relaxing the muscles in their stomach.
Another symptom experienced with constipation is stomach aches, which can be aided by encouraging blood flow to the abdomen. As mentioned earlier, hot water bottles have been proven to increase blood flow throughout the body.
Sport Injuries
Athletes experience injuries all the time. Even non-contact sports, like tennis or golf, are renowned for constant muscle and joint pains.
Thermal therapy is used throughout the sporting world by professionals. However, if you’re an amateur without the resources of a professional team or organisation, hot water bottles are a great home remedy for a pulled muscle or aggravated joint.
The ability to target the specific afflicted area of the body with the soothing effects of the hot water bottle is an easy and affordable method of pain relief for athletes.
Menstrual Cramps
Hot water bottles offer a drug-free approach to managing highly uncomfortable menstrual cramps, regularly experienced by women all across the world
When a hot water bottle is placed on the lower abdomen, it can effectively target the source of cramp-related discomfort.
Conclusion
There are various health benefits gained by utilising a simple hot water bottle. They provide effective and localised heat therapy which can help improve the user’s sleep, relax their muscles, relieve pain, and even reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety!
The type of athletes that can benefit from hot water bottles is broad. However, we believe hot water bottles to be an ideal tool for athletes suffering from minor sports injuries, those experiencing constipation, and women who have menstrual cramps.
Overall, hot water bottles are a great tool for people to have handy whenever one of the above issues arises!
