Doug White: I'm Pharmacist, Doug White, Inside the Medicine Chest. For relief from minor aches and pains that heat us on. Studies suggest to warm compress can be effective, but you do not have to settle for grandma old Holt water bottle. Here are some more moderate options.

One is a reusable pad, microwave it briefly to get 30 to 60 minutes of soothing warmth, then slide it into a special belt and strap it on. It will warm your aching muscles where you go about your business. No hands. Next disposable patches, they don't actually heat up your skin, but they do make you feel warm. They can give you relief for upto 8 hours using either menthol or capsaicin, which is derived from hot peppers.

Air activated patches are another option. They are disposable, odorless and also give you eight hours of pain relief. When air hits the iron inside the patch, bow! a chemical reaction creates heat. Keep in mind that you don't want to use heat patches of any type if you help bruising or swelling and check with your doctor or pharmacist first if you are a diabetic, pregnant, or a poor circulation or rheumatoid arthritis. If your aching and don't feel like being plastered with patches, there was always a advice from dear old grand ma "just take a nice warm bathe."

I am Dr. Doug White, Inside The Medicine Chest.