Do heat patches help relieve muscle pain?

Applying heat to a long-term injury can increase blood flow and relieve muscle spasms.

Although heat should not be used for a new injury, it can be beneficial for long-term conditions. Heat patches dilate blood vessels, promote blood flow, and help relax sore muscles. Tissue injury activates nerve endings in the skin, which transmit signals to the brain to inform it of pain.

Meanwhile, neurotransmitters initiate a reaction that causes the muscles to contract at the site of the injury, often to the point of spasm. Fortunately, heat can activate heat-sensitive thermoreceptors.

The applied pressure also helps stimulate nerve endings known as proprioceptors. Activation of receptor groups helps painful muscles relax.