Stomach pain is a common symptom that affects people of all ages. The causes can range from indigestion, menstrual cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, to even gastritis. While simple home remedies may not cure your condition, applying heat will certainly soothe the area and help alleviate pain temporarily.
1. What is heat therapy?
Heat therapy is simply something that can be used to warm up a specific area of the body. Applying heat encourages blood flow to a particular area by expanding the blood vessels in the region where heat is applied. Increased blood circulation to the tissues helps to:
- Relieve muscle and tendon aches.
- Accelerate the healing process by supplying nutrients to the area.
- Relax tense muscles.
2. Effects of applying heat to the abdominal area
Applying heat to the abdominal areas affects the circulatory system, causing blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood circulation, and boosting the body's metabolism. For connective tissues, it reduces muscle stiffness, increases elasticity, and alleviates pain in soft tissues.
The effects of heat therapy on the abdominal area are as follows:
- Upper abdominal area: It stimulates digestion in the stomach and small intestine, increases food absorption and helps improve symptoms of bloating and indigestion.
- Lower abdominal area: It improves symptoms of diarrhea and constipation, and promotes better circulation in the urinary and excretory systems.
3. Does heat therapy reduce belly fat?
Belly fat is one of the most stubborn types of fat, and losing it is never easy. It takes the longest time to burn belly fat and give your abdomen a desired shape.
Some heating pads are used by doctors for skin treatment purposes. However, using some heat pads or hot compresses on the abdominal area can also maintain a stable level of belly fat. In addition, heat therapy can help relieve pain, muscle tension, and other issues like menstrual cramps, but it does not aid in weight loss.
4. How does heat therapy help relieve menstrual cramps for women?
Primary dysmenorrhea refers to the lower abdominal pain experienced during menstruation without any underlying pelvic pathology. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as sweating, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and trembling before or during menstruation.
Traditionally, superficial heat therapy has been used in various forms (e.g., hot water bottles, towels, or pads) to alleviate menstrual pain. Meanwhile, deep heat therapy, such as shortwave or microwave, targets structures at depths of 2 to 5 centimeters. However, these methods also induce changes in the vascular system and metabolic processes in deeper tissues and organs.
For women experiencing menstrual cramps, applying heat locally helps relax and stretch the abdominal muscles, reducing pain caused by muscle spasms. Heat therapy can also enhance blood circulation in the pelvic area to remove localized blood and water retention in the body, reducing congestion and swelling, which in turn helps relieve pain caused by nerve compression.
If this method does not provide relief, it is advisable to visit a healthcare facility where a doctor can assess the situation and recommend the most suitable treatment for you.
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