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Heat can help the body fight pain6 July 2006 A new scientific study has provided evidence on how heat can relieve pain such as stomach ache. Medical researchers at University College, London (UCL) claim that abdominal, colic or menstrual pain can be relieved by placing a hot water bottle (of a temperature higher than 400C) to the skin near to the site of pain. They argue that heat offers not just psychological comfort, but a genuine medical aid, by switching on crucial receptors inside the body. These work by blocking the course of the chemical messengers that bring about painful sensations. Dr Brian King from the Department of Physiology at UCL, argued that this sort of treatment could therefore help "in much the same way as pharmaceutical painkillers work". King noted that the problem with heat is that it can only provide temporary relief and that the focus of future research will continue to be the discovery and development of pain relief drugs. The team hope however, that its research will provide clues for new drug innovations that will work on the body in the same way as heat from outside, with more long-lasting effects. More information
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