Heat Wraps recommended in Australia’s new Clinical Care Standard for Low Back Pain

Australia has a new Clinical Care Standard for low back pain, a condition which affects one in six Australians and is a leading cause of lost work productivity and early retirement. 

Developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, the Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard guides health professionals in the best practice for management of LBP and recommends a non-pharmacological approach as the first-line treatment with less reliance on pain medications and imaging.

The purpose of easing pain is to restore functionality through movement to promote recovery. Heat Wraps encourage this by keeping patients moving and reducing the pain barrier to activity with continuous low-level heat.

What is a heat wrap?

A heat wrap is a specific form of continuous low-level heat that is applied within a lightweight elasticised wrap that is flexible to facilitate movement and activity and promote recovery from low back pain.

How do heat wraps differ from other heat products?

Heat wraps differ from other heat products such as wheat bags, heat creams, heat packs, and hot water bottles as they are designed to produce a continuous low-level heat above 40 degrees Celsius for extended periods of time up to 12 hours. Continuous level-low heat wraps are the most researched and evidence-based form of heat delivery.

How do heat wraps produce heat?

Heat wraps contain eco-friendly ingredients, iron powder, salt, charcoal, and mineral vermiculite. When exposed to air, these contents begin to oxidise the iron powder to release heat, this is known as an exothermic reaction. This activity is a “rusting process” accelerated by salt and evenly dispersed by mineral vermiculite.

What are the advantages of heat wraps?

The main advantage of a heat wrap is that it enables you to stay active due to its lightweight and flexible design. This assists to promote and facilitate low back pain recovery. The convenience of repositioning when required without disrupting heat production is a further advantage of heat wraps.
Heat wraps deliver a continuous low-level of heat for up to 12 hours which differentiates them from other heat applications such as wheat bags which reach high temperatures for a shorter duration and require constant reheating. Wheat bags and heat packs are not as practical, requiring patients to sit or be immobilised, contrary to the evidence recommending staying active in Australia’s low back pain clinical care standard.
Heat wraps combine evidence-based continuous low-level heat and movement to promote recovery from low back pain as recommended in Low back pain clinical care standard 2022. 

I'm a health professional, where can I get FlexEze Heat Wraps?

FlexEze Heat Wraps are available through major Physiotherapy and Osteopathy suppliers and are the only Heat Wraps trusted by major Australian hospitals and rehabilitation units.
We offer Free Clinic Sample Packs to registered health professionals.