Description: These type of devices apply heat therapy to the area of pain.

Type: Microwaveable pads

Pros: Usually portable. Reuseable and therefore ususally cost effective for the long term.

Cons: Tend to be more bulky. Requires access to microwave. Danger of overheating unless careful attention is paid to the process.

Personal Experience: I like to sometimes use a certain one of these when I actually WANT bulk (for example, when I want a sort of warm neck support roll to lay down on an put warm pressure into my neck area). The herbal types of these generally smell good and claim to have additional health effects from the herbs inside. However, I am not sure that studies have shown this. I find that the nice smell just makes me feel better too.

Type: Portable/travel heat (Example: THermaCare)

Pros: Wafer thin. Can take them anywhere and wear them under any clothing, usually unnoticed. The self adhesive type are great for difficult to strap areas. The velcro ones are great for repositioning every 30 minutes.

Cons: Contents can be harmful to eyes if the pack breaks. These packs work by reacting to air and to keep them from getting uncomfortably warm, you must put them in a location that is somewhat limited to air. For example: underneath of the clothing (preferably form-fitting clothing such as bras or underwear).

Personal Experience: I have found that these are quite affordable and especially when I purchase them in bulk at Costco. I use these ALL of the time and have them stashed everywhere (at the office, at home, in the car, in my purse, etc).

Type: Traditional heating pads

Pros: Usually cost effective for long term use. More portable varieties are available that allow up to 30 minutes of heat away from electrical attachment. Some have velcro straps for difficult areas which are a plus. Some offer moist heat option which is helpful with many who have AS.

Cons: Bulky. Must be near electrical outlet. Don't tend to work well on oddly shaped areas even with Velcro straps.

Personal Experience: I used to use these a lot before other options were readily available. I stopped using them because they were too restrictive compared to other heat devices listed here. Also, the moist heat option is tricky with most of these pads because it requires wetting down a spongy material and inserting it in between the heating device and the exterior. It is difficult to get the moisture content just right and takes a good bit of practice. The sponge pad tends to wear out quickly and/or become musty in smell.

Type: Traditional hot water bottles

Pros: Very cheap and easy to obtain at any drugstore.

Cons: Big danger in these is from burns. They tend to leak and also tend to heat up over time. Many people have fallen asleep soon after putting these under a sore area and woken up with a burn.

Personal Experience: I used to only use these for travel but never liked them much because it was so difficult to get the heat just right without burning myself. I also found that the portable heat listed here was much more practical.

Type: Water therapy (Whirpools)

Pros: Generally easy to find and easy to use.

Cons: Bulky. Generally heavy (especially foot whirlpools filled with water).

Personal Experience: I once had the type of whirlpool device that fit over the side of a regular bathtub. The device worked very well but took up so much space in the tub that the whirlpool experience was not nearly as enjoyable. I also had a foot whirlpool that was so heavy when filled with water that my back ached for days afterwards.

Type: Parafin therapy

Pros: Softens skin while it provides heat.

Cons: Messy. Can get burned if not cautious. Requires waiting time for parafin to be removed which inhibits some activities such as answering the phone, etc, depending on where the treatment is given. Requires purchasing supplies for continued use (parafin). Ususally bulky to store.

Personal Experience: I get parafin therapy from time to time at the same place I get my nails done. I do it in winter when my hands/feet are dry and the weather is colder which makes my hands stiff. It is a nice treat to getsoft skin AND to get better mobility in my hands and feet at the same time. I would not recommend home parafin therapy but instead recommend reserving this for special occasions at spas, chiropractors, or nail salons.

Description: These type of devices apply cold therapy to the area of pain.

Type: Plug in variety

Pros: Can generally adjust temperature to your needs. Stays cooler longer than other varieities.

Cons: Requires time to "cool down". Must be in proximity to an electrical outlet.

Personal Experience: I have never used the plug in variety and it does not seem appealing to me.

Type: Portable cold (ususally the type kept at room temperature that you must squeeze and shake to activate).

Pros: Very portable.

Cons: Contents can be harmful if the pack breaks. More bulky than the heat versions and generally do not have self-adhesives or velcro. Only last 20-60 minutes as a rule.

Personal Experience: I don't use these because they are too bulky and inconvenient and don't last very long as a general rule.

Type: Those stored in freezer when not in use.

Pros: Reuseable and cost effective in the long run.

Cons: Takes up freezer space. Many use gels that can be toxic if swallowed. Probably not good for those with small children around. Frozen varieties may be stiff and inflexible for a certain period of time until they have thawed enough.The requirement that they be chilled ahead of time requires planning.

Personal Experience: I have an herb filled version of this that I store in the freezer that is specifically meant to go over the eyes. Despite the fact that I kept it double wrapped in ziplock bags, over time, it started to smell like the worst things in the freezer and I had to throw it away. I did enjoy this while it lasted and do recommend the herb/grain filled versions over the gel filled because of the soothing flexibility of the herb/grain filled.

Type: Those stored in the fridge when not in use.

Pros: Reuseable and cost effective in the long run.

Cons: Takes up fridge space. Many use gels that can be toxic if swallowed. Probably not good for those with small children around. The requirement that they be chilled ahead of time requires planning.

Personal Experience: I like these types of cool packs though don't use them much because they don't last long (about 20 minutes). Since heat generally works better for me than cold, these packs seem like more bother than they are worth.