@ETpro; I agree about the acupuncture. I went to a Chinese woman who had trained in some exotic school in China. After eight interesting session for lower back pain, she said, “You go swim. You go talk someone.” So I found a pool and a therapist, both efficacious.
@augustlan: That would also give you an emergency meal if you forgot to shop.
I am not crazy about electric blankets being on all night; Milo will probably eat a wire and short-circuit the thing. Besides, he serves as as my 3:00 am hot-water bottle.
These moist heat packs come in several sizes and have a safety switch.
Here’s their spiel, which works for me. I use the large one, which I’ve had for years, to lie on for ten minutes before my daily stretching and strengthening. It certainly feels good.
.“The most effective way to use moist heat is by applying a short treatment at a high temperature, then allowing the body to return to normal temperature, and then repeating the process. These treatments are very relaxing and the user may fall asleep. If this occurs, the momentary switch snaps off as the user’s finger relaxes and the unit immediately cools down, preventing burns.
. Penetrating moist heat dilates the blood vessels, increasing circulation and creating blood flow. This takes away waste and toxins which may have settled in the injured area and brings new healing blood cells to the tissue.Moist heat therapy is a means to temporarily relieve pain derived from arthritis, bursitis, back aches and muscle spasms.”