Years ago I spontaneously dislocated my shoulder while swimming. I’ve had a sore shoulder since, and with a typing position it just exacerbates the soreness. I’ve gone to physical therapy for the tendonitis in the shoulder as well as had a cortisone shot. The therapy didn’t help much but the shot did; however every so often the shoulder starts getting sore and locking up again. I’ve found that a heating pad helps alleviate the pain, but a friend told me not to leave it on longer than 20 minutes because the fluid will start to build up and make it worse.
How long should I leave the heating pad on?
Curiously, why a moist heating pad? I don’t think I’ve hardly ever seen them anywhere..I have a regular plug in one that I use. And is it ice first and then heat or heat and then ice…I’ve gotten both responses here.
I would say 15-20 minutes and then alternate with ice for the inflammation for 15-20 minutes.
Always use a moist heating pad never dry. And only for twenty minutes at a time. Afterwards apply an analgesic cream. You can do this several times a day just do not exceed twenty minutes.
Advil liquid capsules Work quickly on pain , take them four times a day.
Hmm never heard of that 20 min rule before.. but I’d leave it til the pain goes away.
I think Billie77 pretty much hit the nail on the head!
20 minutes is accurate, however, my three children are athletic and they can come home in pain, but the coach has them ice for 20 minutes, then heat for 20 minutes, then do this a couple more times. In the morning they have no pain. I think its what everyone is doing now because it works. And take aleve which lasts 8 hours instead of 4 and gives your shoulder relief to heal. Maybe every day for a week. Then I think you will be ok.
45 minutes very time.
Theoretically, heat will increase swelling if you are undergoing an inflammatory process…so whether you put on 20 minutes or 45 minutes if it’s going to swell, it’s going to swell.
However, for chronic conditions and stiffness, heat continues to be effective for many people. There is no physiological reason why you have to use moist heat vs. dry heat, other than moisture transmits the heat faster and more evenly. However, I would say that most people find moist heat very comforting…again I think it is preferred due to a timing issue.
The 20 minutes rule comes is as a general safety guideline. Most thermal modality texts state this as a general precaution to avoid burns…which CAN happen with a heating pad…even on the low setting.