The first thing to remember about heat therapy is when NOT to use it. This is in cases when there is swelling and/or bruising. In such cases application of heat is not a good idea, it is better to first apply cold therapy and switch to heat only after the swelling has subsided. It is best to consult the doctor to know when heat is going to be most beneficial.
Heat therapy has been used since time immemorial to alleviate pain. A period of extended application of heat can reduce the discomfort caused by pain. This is so because heat increases blood flow, thus reducing stiffness and relaxing sore spots. In other words, heat applied to back pain can help relieve the pain. It is an inexpensive remedy and readily available, whether you use heated compresses, heating pads, hot water bottles or one of the numerous other forms available. In addition, it is easy to do, it is something you can carry around with you, for example, you can take your heating pad to work, and it is low cost such as taking a warm soak in the tub.
The application of heat is especially beneficial in cases when back pain is due to a muscle spasm in the lower back. These episodes generally occur due to strains, and over exertion and in some cases from stress. In such cases heat therapy is the most practical recourse. When heat is applied, the flow of blood in the vessels increases. This in itself is very relaxing. In addition, the muscles and other tissues in the affected area also relax. Both of these help to comfort and ease the pain and make for easier movement. However, it is important to know that you cannot play “doctor" all the time. In most cases, a visit to the doctor is necessary, especially if the pain is accompanied by other conditions, such as loss of bowel control, diarrhea, and other unusual symptoms.
Heat therapy is the preferred form of treatment is cases where the pain is chronic but there is no inflammation. It is used in cases of unrelieved pain due to sore muscles and other athletic causes. It is a good idea to apply heat before beginning your exercises, as it is a good way of loosening the muscles. Nevertheless, the warm up phase of exercising cannot be ignored or by-passed.
Like any treatment plan, certain precautions must be taken while using heat treatment too. Firstly, do not use heat if the injury or pain accompanies an inflammation or swelling and bruising. In such cases heat is not to be applied. Secondly, do not apply heat for periods longer than 15-20minutes at a time. Overheating causes a whole new set of problems. Moreover, make sure that the skin is well protected against burning effects of heat. You don’t want to have to nurse an awkward burn along with the pain in the lower back. Also, when using a heating pad, make sure you turn it off before you fall asleep. Leaving it on can cause overheating and could also be a fire hazard. It is always a good idea to use moist heat rather than dry heat and if your pain does not subside within 2 days, you must see a doctor.
The first product that is available is the ColdHeat Soldering Tool, a cordless, battery-powered alternative to the traditional toolbox staple. The soldering tool heats and cools instantly, reducing the risk of injury and making soldering jobs more efficient. Add up all these layers of innovation and with common batteries and we can generate temperatures over 800F in less than 3 seconds. Stop the current and it returns to room temperature in less than 3 seconds. Because of this, there is almost no danger of getting burned, or having to wait for your soldering iron to heat up.
"How does ColdHeat work?" you may ask. It has several components. First, it is made of a resistive material named Athalite, whose physical properties allow it to create heat from low sources of power supply. According to the ColdHeat website, "Athalite is a patented, revolutionary composite material and an essential ingredient in ColdHeat. The unique chemical and physical properties of Athalite deliver unparalleled heating potential. With the ability to reach temperatures exceeding 800 Fahrenheit in mere seconds, Athalite cools down just as quickly. In addition, Athalite is a highly malleable material and can be milled into multiple form factors, thus permitting the innovative design of a broad array of everyday products." Many people believe this to be a combination of carbon and graphite, much like in a pencil. Second, it has innovative mechanical designs that minimize thermal mass and increase heat flow. Third, and last, it has electronic controls that efficiently manage the limited power source for optimal operation. By applying this ColdHeat technology to a variety of applications, products take on unique rapid heating, quick cooling and low power consumption properties that make these tools easier to use, safer and more efficient. It is, to some people, infinitely better than a battery or electrically charged soldering iron.
The ColdHeat technology was created by an attorney and inventor named Grigore Axinte. He was a Russian immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1991. He wanted to improve soldering irons, and worked in his garage in the evenings trying his hand at inventing a tool. He eventually developed ColdHeat to make an affordable cordless soldering tool that could heat up quickly and cool down even quicker.
The ColdHeat products are very safe, and those manufactured so far have passed internal quality assurance tests as well as met the safety standards for Radio Shack and the Coleman Company. Because the ColdHeat technology is designed for use in battery-powered products, the risk of electrocution is completely eliminated. Furthermore, the Athalite composite material contains no toxins and releases no harmful chemicals when heated, even at temperatures greater than 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
ColdHeat recently introduced its first product, a portable soldering tool, for any home toolbox or crafter's kit. Hand-soldering is one of the most difficult tasks in electronics, but after reading this article and carefully following the guidelines, the quality of your soldering should improve considerably.
If you think soldering plays a minor part in the development of electronics, your thinking is misguided. It is time to change your way of thinking around. The art of soldering has improved over the years, to a point where it is 99.9% perfect. Every electronic product has hundreds of solder connections in its construction and a computer board, for example, has thousands of connections. The chance of a board failing in a 5 year life-time is less than 1%. Consider the enormous challenge this presents.
Soldering has greatly improved since the times of early color television sets. When they would break down, the entire board would have to be re-soldered. If the art of soldering had not improved, computers would never have got off the ground. On a similar ratio, a modern computer would fail every 5 minutes! It seems incredible that a simple facet such as soldering would hold-up such a development.
Both Zareen Khan & Ben Franklin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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