Hot water bottles are an all-time favourite choice for people living in frosty temperatures. These cuddly objects have been continuously innovated since their inception so now we have many choices to choose from.
Mini hot water bottles, extra long hot water bottles, traditional heart shaped hot water bottles or bottles that heat up in the microwave – the possibilities are endless!
Two of the more recent designs to have hit the hot water bottle market are neck hot water bottles and extra long types. In this article we will take a closer glance at what each of these types can do for you as we look over both the neck hot water bottle and the extra long hot water bottle.
Neck Hot Water Bottles
Have you ever used a neck pillow? They come in slightly different shapes depending on the brand but with a similar objective to regular hot water bottles: to relieve neck and shoulder pains by helping the body to relax and hitting the points of discomfort.
The water’s warmth inside the rubber container will last for several hours so you can enjoy using it for a while and taking advantage of the heat application. Some are hook shaped, others a U shape with a small handle area, while the third type is often elongated in shape but small in size.
Generally, its curves are designed to fit comfortably around your neck for maximum coziness. You can use it when relaxing in a stationary position or doing simple activities at home. The rubber container inside is also covered with a cloth or cover that is perfectly washable.
People have been using hot water bottles to alleviate all kinds of body pain for hundreds of years, and you are probably one of them. However, the question is: Is it still advisable to use them to help with symptoms like neck and back pain?
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Extra Long Hot Water Bottles
When it gets cold at night, you might want to snuggle up with a pillow or two. Adding an extra long hot water bottle in to mix can significantly add to your comfort.
Adequately covered with a soft cover, you can easily cuddle it to the position of your liking while doing some reading or just resting. You can also use this to relieve body pains, stomach aches, period pains and cramps.
Because of its longer structure, heat retention is higher so you can enjoy a whole night of snuggling (without the hassle of a fellow human!). It has a twistable lid that seals the whole bottle, preventing any spillage or leakage to occur.
More importantly, the extra long hot water bottle can be used to perfectly sit around the neck to ease discomfort. Provided the bottle is not at it hottest point it can be tied using the loop and string. Often it just sits on the shoulder, pressed against the neck.
A Quick Comparison of the Two
Let us now examine a few angles of comparison between these two types of hot water bottles:
Both hot water bottles have a rubber container on the inside to hold water and preserve its heat. The procedure of filling it with hot water is also similar. The difference lies on the level of caution you need to have during filling.
Since neck-type bottles are U-shaped, you may need to tilt it a bit so the hot water you poured will settle at the other end of it. This mean you need take extra caution so as not to cause spillage or worse skin injury.
For the extra long hot water bottle, you only need to hold it upright and fill it easily without worrying about any spillages.
The neck hot water bottle is smaller compared to extra long ones and specifically designed to target the neck. It has a round shape that will easily feet around your neck while also touching your shoulders.
While it impacts both body parts, application is still limited with these two. The extra long hot water bottle on the other hand can also be used as a neck pain reliever and has even a greater extent of application.
Aside from the neck and shoulders, you can use it in your stomach, back, hands, legs and feet. Its shape is not fixed so you can use it accordingly and keep it in contact with the affected body part. It boasts added flexibility.
Both types are easy to maintain since inner containers are made of rubber that provide long-lasting insulation. The outer sleeves are made of cloth which is machine washable.
The Warm Wrap-Up
There you have it! If you just want to target your neck and shoulders, a neck hot water bottle can do the job, but if your whole body is in need of a bit of TLC the extra long hot water bottle can literally fill those needs as well.
With this in mind, extra long hot water bottles are one step ahead. Its span can be used to warm a wider portion of your body in a shorter period of time.
and even if you are feeling in tip-top condition, you can always place it in your bed in advance to give you a warm, comfortable sleep through the night.