ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of a new study released today support that continuous low-level heat wrap therapy may be effective for both the treatment and prevention of exercise-induced muscle soreness, clinically known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), of the low back muscles. The results of the study were presented at the 17th World Conference of Family Doctors.
DOMS is defined as muscle soreness that occurs within 24-48 hours after unusual exertion during physical activity such as exercise, sports, and heavy lifting(1). Pain and soreness are often caused by microscopic tearing of the muscle fibers(2). To date, preventative measures against DOMS have mainly included stretching and low-impact activity (warm up), but the efficacy of these behaviors has not been clinically proven. DOMS is commonly treated with cold packs, low impact workouts to increase blood flow to the area, and over-the-counter pain medications.
In the study, participants treated with continuous low-level heat prior to exercising reported less pain intensity and less disability after 24 hours than their counterparts who performed sham stretches beforehand. In addition, continuous low level heat was better than ice for treating muscle pain in the low back region.
"This is the first time we have found a therapy to reduce, prevent, and treat DOMS of the low back muscles induced by vigorous exercise on specialized equipment," said John Mayer, Ph.D., Director of Research at U.S. Spine & Sport Foundation. "Simply wearing a portable heat wrap immediately prior to exercise cut pain and disability almost in half."
About the Study
The study consisted of 67 individuals in good general health who were asked to perform a standardized eccentric resistance exercise protocol known to elicit DOMS of the low back muscles. The participants were randomized to one of four groups. In the prevention branch (n=35), participants either wore a heat wrap (ThermaCare(R) HeatWrap, The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH) or performed sham stretches prior to exercise. In the treatment branch (n=32), participants were treated the next day after the exercise with either the heat wrap or a coldpack. The primary outcome measures were pain intensity and pain relief assessed at 24 hours after exercising with a 6-point verbal rating scale. The secondary measures included functional ability (rated by a Multidimensional Task Ability Profile questionnaire) and disability (rated by a Roland Morris Disability questionnaire). Complete study results are available upon request.
About U.S. Spine & Sport Foundation
U.S. Spine & Sport Foundation is a non-profit research and education organization that was founded in 1994 by Vert Mooney, M.D., a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon. The Foundation is dedicated to conduct clinical research to: 1) Assess products, services, and interventions that have the potential to enhance musculoskeletal function, expedite recovery from injury, or prevent functional loss, and 2) Develop and assess novel measurement systems for musculoskeletal function. Please visit http://www.spineandsport.com/foundation for more information about the Foundation.
(1) About.com, "Sports Medicine."
(2) About.com, "Sports Medicine."
U.S. Spine & Sport FoundationCONTACT: Lauren Stone of DeVries Public Relations, +1-212-891-0491, forU.S. Spine & Sport Foundation
Web site: http://www.spineandsport.com/foundation