Pain relief through heat

A comparison of heat patches: a detailed analysis for successful use

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More than half of all people with back pain use heat patches to quickly relieve the discomfort. Not surprising, as heat therapy has been practised for centuries and is one of the most proven treatments for back and neck pain. Many people also use heat as a therapeutic method for other complaints such as abdominal pain or migraines. All types of heat therapy are beneficial - but not all of them are effective and long-lasting.

How do chemical heat patches work and how do they differ from the battery-operated Calopad®? If you want to relieve and heal your pain or tension in the long term, you should be aware of the key differences between the various heat patches.

Why heat therapy helps

From hot baths, heat ointments and chemical heat patches to innovative heat therapy devices: Heat is very popular for combating back pain and neck tension. It has a soothing, relaxing effect on our bodies because it promotes blood circulation and dilates the blood vessels. The heat increases the oxygen content in the tissue and stimulates the metabolism. A warm bath, a warming ointment or a warming plaster can therefore help to relax the muscles - but each product has its own individual effect and sustainability.

What types of heat plasters are there and how do they generate heat?

In order for back patients to sustainably relieve and heal their back pain and neck tension, they should know how the various heat plasters work. This is because the heat therapy market harbours a number of myths. For example, users of heat plasters should know that, depending on the plaster, the heat generated only has a superficial effect and is sometimes only simulated, meaning that it cannot have a lasting effect.

Heat patches made from capsaicin

The ingredient capsaicin is a pepper extract obtained from the chilli pepper. With this plaster, the heat is merely simulated by a stimulus. As soon as the plaster is applied, capsaicin irritates the skin, causing the blood vessels to dilate and creating a feeling of warmth on the surface of the skin. But beware: the skin irritation can cause problems, especially for allergy sufferers (contains lanolin).

Heat plasters made from activated charcoal and iron

With these plasters, the heat is generated by a chemical reaction. When the packaging is opened, the heat cells, which consist of activated charcoal, iron, salt and water, come into contact with oxygen from the air and a chemical reaction takes place. This chemical reaction is also known as iron oxidation and takes place on the surface of the skin. As a result, the pad heats up to around 37.5 degrees Celsius within 30 minutes.

Calopad®: The therapy device with deep heat for pain relief

Calopad® generates a constant, therapeutic deep heat of 42 degrees Celsius. When the heating foil is attached to the rechargeable controller, the Calopad® heats up within a few seconds and the heat remains constant for the entire duration of use. As a result, the heat penetrates deep into the muscle and can provide lasting relief from tension.

Conventional heat plasters vs. Calopad®: 7 astonishing differences

The lasting and effective effect of the heat plasters therefore depends on how the heat is generated and how deep the heat can penetrate through the skin to the muscle. The following 7 facts, which clearly distinguish the Calopad® deep heat device from conventional heat plasters, are revealing:

How is the heat generated?

  • Activated charcoal plasters
    According to tests with the FHNW, the heat of the activated charcoal plasters is a maximum of 37.5 degrees Celsius and only acts on the surface of the skin.

  • Capsaicin heat patches
    Do not generate any real heat. It is merely a simulated sensation of warmth - triggered by skin irritation.

  • Calopad® deep heat device
    Generates a therapeutic deep heat of a constant 42 degrees Celsius.

How long does it take for the heat plaster to heat up?

  • Activated charcoal plasters
    They reach a heat of around 37.5 degrees Celsius after approx. 30 minutes. This is not really therapeutic heat.

  • Capsaicin heat plasters
    Capsaicin patches do not generate any real heat. The skin irritation caused by capsaicin can last for several hours.

  • Calopad® deep heat therapy device
    The Calopad® deep heat device heats up to a constant deep heat of 42 degrees Celsius within seconds.

How does the heat plaster work?

  • Activated charcoal plasters
    The pharmacological effect of activated charcoal patches has not yet been convincingly proven. The heat only reaches the uppermost layer of the skin. It can therefore only treat the muscle indirectly.

  • Capsaicin heat patches
    Although they are certainly beneficial, they have little to do with effective, therapeutic heat therapy. One reason for this is the fact that the plasters only work on the surface of the skin and the feeling of warmth is only produced by the skin irritation.

  • Calopad® deep heat device
    The therapeutic deep heat generated by Calopad® penetrates deep into the tense muscle, promotes blood circulation, detoxifies and thus leads to lasting relaxation. The medical effect of the Calopad® device has been proven by numerous studies.


Does the heat plaster achieve a constant temperature?

  • Activated charcoal plasters
    According to tests with the FHNW, it is not possible to achieve a constant temperature during application with heat patches made of activated charcoal and iron.

  • Capsaicin heat plasters
    The heat sensation produced by the skin irritation is not constant. Depending on skin sensitivity, the intensity is perceived differently and can vary during application.

  • Calopad® deep heat device
    In mode 1, the Calopad® deep heat device generates therapeutic deep heat of 42 degrees Celsius within seconds, which remains constant throughout the entire application.

Can the heat plaster be reused?

  • Conventional capsaicin heat plasters and activated charcoal plasters
    Both must be replaced after a single application. On the one hand, because a plaster can only trigger a chemical reaction or skin irritation once and, on the other hand, because the material no longer adheres to the skin for repeated use.

  • Calopad® deep heat device
    Reusability is at the heart of the Calopad® product concept. The Calopad® controller is rechargeable and therefore a lifelong companion for back patients. Once purchased, Calopad® can be used for a lifetime to effectively and sustainably treat back pain and neck tension with deep heat and two therapy modes. The heating foil can be reused up to 50 times. For reasons of hygiene, the adhesive foils are replaced after a maximum of 3 applications.

Does the heat plaster have several therapy modes?

  • Conventional capsaicin heat patches and activated charcoal patches
    They do not offer different therapy modes. The type and intensity of heat therapy cannot therefore be selected according to pain sensation and preference with the capsaicin and activated charcoal heat plasters.

  • Calopad® deep heat device
    The Calopad® deep heat device combines two therapy modes in one device. Mode 1 generates constant, therapeutic deep heat of 42°C, while mode 2 activates pulsating heat therapy (Kneipp method). Patients can switch between the two therapy modes as required, depending on the type of pain and intensity.

Are there any side effects associated with the heat patch?

  • Heat patches made from capsaicin
    The ingredients can be very irritating to the skin. Two possible side effects are a burn or an allergic reaction. In the event of a burn, the skin can become painful and swollen. Necrosis and blistering are possible. Anyone who is also allergic to lanolin should strictly avoid these heat plasters. Wool wax is a secretion from sheep and may be contained in heat plasters with capsaicin. Some products also contain parabens. These preservatives can also trigger allergies. Allergic reactions usually cause the skin to become very red and itchy.

  • Activated charcoal plasters
    If the activated charcoal and iron heat plasters are not applied correctly, they can burn the skin. This can result in redness or blisters on the skin. In particularly severe cases, this can lead to permanent skin changes.

  • Calopad® deep heat device
    There are no known side effects associated with the use of the Calopad® deep heat device.

Conclusion: Using deep heat for lasting pain relief

Heat almost always has a beneficial effect. However, the decisive factor for effective and lasting relief of back pain and tension with heat therapy is genuine, therapeutic deep heat of 42 degrees Celsius. As the heat in patches made from capsaicin or activated charcoal and iron is simulated by irritation or a chemical reaction, they only work on the surface. As a result, these types of heat plasters only have a short-term effect and cannot relieve muscle tension in the long term, as the staged heat cannot reach the muscle. Furthermore, the effect of chemical heat patches made of activated charcoal and iron has not yet been convincingly proven. Back patients who want to counteract their pain with an effective, sustainable heat therapy method should use therapy devices that generate genuine, therapeutic deep heat.

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