Aromatherapy Heat Packs

What Is an Aromatherapy Heat Pack?

Microwaveable heat packs are soft bags with an organic filler you can warm up to get moist heat for hours in direct contact with your body. The direct heat warms up and stimulates nerve endings in the area where it's applied, reducing feelings of soreness, tenderness and fatigue, and bringing substantial pain relief without drugs. Adding natural scents to the filler, even with a surface spray, creates a wonderful aromatherapeutic heat pack treatment that works all over to improve feelings of wellness and rest.

Aroma Heat Packs Benefits

People use aromatherapy heat packs for all kinds of soreness and pain. Depending on where you're applying the heat, you can use it on back pain, muscle spasms, muscles that are sore after a workout and aching joints. Some people use heat packs to bring down swelling, including joint swelling, and relieve some of the discomfort of arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune conditions. You can lay a heat pack across your shoulders while you're working on the computer to fight stiffness and tension, or lay a pack under your neck at night to help you sleep. Some women use a flat aromatherapy heat pack to ease feelings of cramps, bloating and other symptoms of menstrual discomfort, and even handling a small beanbag-style heat pack can work well for people managing the swelling and inflammation of the hands common for tendonitis and other repetitive motion injuries.

Aromatherapy Heat Packs in All Shapes and Sizes

Aromatherapy heat packs are available in almost any shape or size that you need. Tube-shaped heat packs can be used on any part of your body, but they're especially good for draping over the shoulders or resting under your neck. Flat heat packs apply moist, scented warmth directly to your upper back or abdomen, and you can wrap them over a sore leg or arm. Use a lumbar heat pack to prop yourself up in bed if you have low back pain or muscle spasms.

As a rule, the larger the heat pack, the longer it retains its warmth. You should choose a large lumbar or pad-style heat pack if you're looking for long-lasting aroma heat therapy, while a smaller pack tends to heat up and cool down faster. This makes them a great quick fix for a single small spot, such as your forearms, wrists, swollen ankles or that one spot on your neck that always feels stiff during the drive home. The range of designs and options available practically guarantees you can find an aromatherapy heat pack that's just what you're looking for.

Filler and Material

The outside of your aromatherapy heat pack is made from some kind of tough, durable material, usually something soft for comfort. Cotton and linen are popular choices, though hemp is also a good choice for its toughness and ability to let heat through to your skin. Your pack may have handles stitched to its sides for easier holding and carrying, or it might be nearly seamless for a smoother surface and better comfort.

Heat packs use various fillers to hold their heat. Barley and rice are common natural materials for filler, as is flaxseed. These filler materials heat up in the microwave and emit a soothing moist warmth because of their natural water content. Aromatherapeutic heat packs can also be packed with herbs that emit powerful therapeutic aromas when they're heated, but become inert after cooling down, which makes it easier to store them when they're not in use.

How to Use Your Aromatherapy Heat Pack

Your aromatherapy heat pack is fit for use on just about any part of your body where you need the heat. Rest a pack on your neck, back, abdomen or shoulders for direct relief. Lay a heat mask over your eyes and nose for soothing warmth on your face, which also puts the aromatherapeutic vapors close to your sensory systems and may help with clogged sinuses or congestion. You can lay the warm heat pack directly onto your skin, or put a soft towel or washcloth between it and your skin to diffuse the heat and help keep the temperature down when it's fresh out of the microwave.

Taking Care of Your Heat Pack

Because most heat packs are filled with natural materials, it's important to store them in a clean, cool dry place where they won't develop mold or other problems over the long term. This isn't a major problem, since heating the pack destroys virtually all of the microbes that can cause unpleasant odors, but you should go for dry storage if it's going to be a while before you use the pack again. You can clean exterior stains on the fabric with a damp cloth, but you should never immerse your heat pack in water or run it through the washing machine or dishwasher.

Heat Pack Safety Concerns

You should always be careful when you're applying heat directly to your body, even though our aromatherapy services are designed to be safe. Be aware of any allergies you may have, either to filler materials like flaxseed or to fabrics like cotton or hemp. Stop using your heat pack if you develop a rash, hives or other signs of allergy, and speak to your dermatologist about the issue before using your heat pack again.