Thermacare

...but not because of the Thermacare lower back heatwrap). But despite my opinion being that the advertisment for this product is somewhat lame, as a frequent sufferer of lower back pain I was very interested in the heat wrap concept and it's claims.

I've suffered from sciatica and lower back pain since working as a barmaid some five years ago and I damaged a lot of my back muscles having to move house on my own three times since giving ...
...when I decided to give Thermacare a go. My back hurt so badly that I was close to tears and I couldn't take Ibuprofen due to an allergy so remembering the television advert for Thermacare, I decided to nip down the road to my local Lloyds Pharmacy.

Fortunately they had the product in stock but this wasn't my only concern; would Thermacare fit a size 18 like myself? Looking at the boxes I saw that Thermacare Heatwraps for back pain ... more

I bet you've all seen the advert by now? The lady walking around with the low-backed red swimsuit on? Enjoying her everyday life as though her back doesn't hurt a jot (and probably doesn't but not because of the Thermacare lower back heatwrap). But despite my opinion being that the advertisment for this product is somewhat lame, as a frequent sufferer of lower back pain I was very interested in the heat wrap concept and it's claims.

I've suffered from sciatica and lower back pain since working as a barmaid some five years ago and I damaged a lot of my back muscles having to move house on my own three times since giving birth late 2005. For a long time I had no stomach muscles to help me lift things as I'd delivered by caesarean section and I had nobody helping me with my baby until he was about nine or ten months old. If anyone knows what it's like to have a back that aches so badly you don't want to live, I do.

A few months ago I was part way through an eight hour shift standing behind the counter of my local newsagents, when I decided to give Thermacare a go. My back hurt so badly that I was close to tears and I couldn't take Ibuprofen due to an allergy so remembering the television advert for Thermacare, I decided to nip down the road to my local Lloyds Pharmacy.

Fortunately they had the product in stock but this wasn't my only concern; would Thermacare fit a size 18 like myself? Looking at the boxes I saw that Thermacare Heatwraps for back pain came in two sizes: S/M and L/XL. The L/XL was aimed at those with a waist larger than 36" or a size 14+. Well that was a relief. I handed over my 5.99 for two wraps (plus one free as an introductory offer) and trotted off back to work. In the loos I ripped off the foil and was surprised to find just how generously sized the wrap is. On placing the pad on my back I found it covered a good area of my lower back (about three hands across if you can picture it). You place the pad on your back then bring the two wide, fabric feeling bands around your abdomin and they fasten with the help of a soft velcro. The "belt" will fasten exactly where you want it to so you can get a perfect fit and despite my ample hips I still had a good five or six inches of wrap left over should I have required a larger size.

The wrap didn't work as I had expected it to. After only about five minutes I could feel it heating up but with it came no sense of relief. I guess I was expecting to actually feel the product working in some way but that never happened. I got on with my job serving customers and having had the wrap on for about thirty minutes, I suddenly realised I wasn't in agony anymore. On the contrary, I felt quite human again. I placed my hand down the back of the wrap to feel how warm it was and was surprised to find it was actually quite hot although I suspect I hadn't realised because the heat had come on so gradually. I was also surprised to find my lower back was quite sweaty but then I guess it's only natural that would happen; and as the sweat wasn't pouring out or occuring anywhere except beneath the pad I didn't feel this was a problem.

When I finally got a chance to put my feet up at the end of the day I removed and discarded the wrap. I'd worn it for approximately seven hours and had enjoyed a relatively pain-free day which made a nice change! Even though I'd removed the wrap close to the eight hour deadline, the wrap was still lovely and warm which says a lot about the durability of this product. Despite my having always suffered from very sensitive skin, I didn't experience a single adverse reaction to this product. Neither did the pain immediately return just because I had removed the wrap.

I'm thoroughly impressed with Thermacare heatwraps and have gone on to purchase two more boxes since. I don't use them frequently because I really can't afford to spend three pounds every single time my back hurts but on the days when I'm in a lot of pain I feel it's three pounds well spent.

SO HOW DOES THERMACARE ACTUALLY WORK?

Well according to their website (www.thermacare.co.uk), Thermacare Heatwraps work by a chemical reaction taking place between a mixture of natural ingredients (Iron, Charcoal, Table Salt and Water) coming into contact with oxygen when you unwrap the pad. This constant heat helps to relax your muscles and let oxygen in which in turn lets pain out. Not a terribly scientific explanation for you I'm afraid but I can only relay the information Thermacare have to offer. I think we're all aware of the benefits heat therapy can have where painful muscles are concerned and that's what's really important.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO THERMACARE OFFER?

Thermacare make BACK WRAPS available in sizes S/M for women up to a size 12 and men with up to a 34" waist, or L/XL for women size 14 and over and men with a 36" waist or larger. Both sizes are available for 5.99 for two.

Thermacare NECK TO ARM WRAPS are versatile heat pads that can be used on the neck, shoulders or arms thanks to a flexible design and adhesive pads. They work in exactly the same way as the Back Wrap but come in a different design for easy application. Neck to arm wraps cost 4.49 for two wraps.

ARE THERE ANY PRECAUTIONS?

Yes there are a few. You shouldn't use Thermacare products alongside medicated ointments, plasters or other forms of heat.
Never use them on broken or damaged skin or on areas of bruising or swelling that have occurred within the last 48 hours. Don't use them on areas of the body where heat cannot be felt or if you are unable to remove the product on your own.

If you experience redness for a few hours after using this product you're advised to wear Thermacare wraps for shorter periods of time, over a thin layer of clothing or with clothing that isn't as tight in future. Thermacare recommend you periodically check the area being treated if you have sensitive skin and that you consult your doctor if your pain persists beyond seven days.

Overall I give this product a four out of five. Because Thermacare hold a new patent on their heat cell technology we won't be seeing any supermarket own brands for a while yet and this means Thermacare can charge uncompetitive prices for the time being. Despite the expense, the products really do work, have a lasting effect on pain, are comfortable and discreet to wear and are unlikely to cause side-effects unlike some oral remedies. By contrast, even before I developed my hypersensitivity to Ibuprofen, two tablets usually took up to an hour to give me half the pain relief Thermacare was able to offer and wore off after just a few hours. I guess whether or not this product is suitable for you boils down to the same as most things in life - money. 

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