Heat and cold therapy is a non-invasive and non-addictive pain relief therapy used for muscle relaxation, improving blood circulation, and reducing swelling. Heat and cold therapy is the most effective, inexpensive, and rapid relief treatment therapy. Different types of injuries cause swelling and inflammation, for which application of ice decreases the blood flow towards injury thereby, reducing the swelling and inflammation. However, heat therapy aids in increasing blood flow in turn supplying nutrients and oxygen in order to relax the ligaments and muscle. Heat is applied by electric or microwave heating pads, hot water bath or gel packs. Whereas, cold therapy is consists of ice or cold gel packs. Heat and cold therapy are good for strains, sprains, and bruises that occur during heavy physical or sports training sessions.

Increasing adoption of non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical pain relive management therapies is expected to boost growth of the hot and cold therapy packs market

According to World Health Organization (WHO) 2015, approximately 8 million individuals face minor accidents, every day. Thus, minimal injuries due to accidents and its treatments to relieve the pain are factors expected to fuel the hot and cold therapy packs market growth. Moreover, according to the Arthritis Foundation, cold packs are best for severe pain in body parts whereas, heat treatment such as warm baths and heating pads are likely to aid in relaxing stiff joints and muscles.

Enhanced access to healthcare services such as easy availability of pain and injury relief therapies and increased personal health care spending are factors anticipated to boost the hot and cold therapy packs market growth. Moreover, market is witnessing growth due to increasing inclination of the populace towards non-surgical pain solutions and wound management for pain relief. For instance, according to a study conducted by University of Leiden in 2015, majority of surgeons recommended non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy or acetaminophen therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Moreover, geriatric population suffering from chronic illness such as osteoporosis and arthritis prefer home care such as hot and cold therapy packs instead of frequently visiting hospitals or consuming drugs. The use of hot and cold therapy packs is safer and easy as compared to drugs and physiotherapy treatment. Thus, increasing non-pharmacological cure treatment for pain relive especially in geriatric population is a driving factor for growth of the market. However, increasing adoption of herbal and reusable packs for pain relief are factors expected to hinder the market growth.

Market Taxonomy

The global hot and cold therapy packs market is segmented on the basis of product type, application type, distribution channel, and geography.

On the basis of product type, the global hot and cold therapy packs market is segmented into:

Therapy pads Gel Packs Instant Packs Bottle System Patch Wraps Others

On the basis of application type, the global hot and cold therapy packs market is segmented into:

Accident Injury Mastitis Pain management Others

On the basis of distribution channel, the global hot and cold therapy packs market is segmented into:

Hospital pharmacies Online pharmacies Retail pharmacies

Geographically, the global hot and cold therapy packs market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

High prevalence of injuries is bolstering market growth in North America

Geographically, North America is expected to be dominant in the global market for hot & cold therapy packs due to increasing inclination of populace towards sports activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2016, approximately 53 million people in the U.S. are affected by arthritis or bone-related disease due to small injuries and physical stress. Furthermore, the launch of new and advanced products by manufacturers such as reusable therapy packs coupled with online promotion and sales of therapy packs products are further expected to drive the market growth.

However, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market over the forecast period. Growing public awareness about home care, easy accessibility and affordability of therapy packs, and rising patient pool for the need of therapy treatment are major factors propelling the market growth in this region. Moreover, rising awareness of non-surgical pain and injury management solutions in emerging countries such as China, India, and Japan are witnessing an increase in demand for hot & cold therapy packs, which is a major factor supporting growth for hot and cold therapy packs market in Asia Pacific.

Major key players in the global hot and cold therapy packs markets include 3M, Caldera International Inc., Cardinal Health, Chattanooga Group Inc., Halyard Health, Inc., Beiersdorf Australia Ltd., Breg, Inc., Corso Enterprises, Inc., Covidien plc., Core Products International, Inc., DJO Global, Inc., Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Medline Industries, Inc., Bruder Healthcare Company, Inc., Thermionics Corp., and Carex Health Brands.