Hot and Cold Packs Market

Hot and Cold Packs Market Outlook (2022 to 2032)

The global hot and cold packs market recorded a valuation of US$ 974.7 million in 2021 and is expected to reach US$ 1.82 billion by the end of 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% over the decade. According to this new study by Persistence Market Research, North America leads the global market with 28.9% share.

To relieve pain and inflammation, heat and cold packs are applied to various parts of the body as a non-invasive therapy. One of the simplest, most cost-effective, and highly efficient therapies is hot and cold therapy. Hot packs in the form of hot gel or wet packs widen blood vessels, promote blood flow and oxygenation to the cells of the affected area.

Warming the injured area promotes relaxation and speeds the healing process by reducing muscle spasms and sprains. Chronic pain, such as neck pain, neuropathic pain, low back pain, spinal pain, and other muscle spasms, are routinely treated with thermotherapy.

Crushed ice compresses, ice cubes, ice baths, store-bought cold packs, and cold clothing are some of the most popular cold treatment products. These cold compresses reduce local swelling and blood flow. The use of cold materials to relieve pain is called cryotherapy or cold pain therapy. In this therapy, cold materials are used to relieve the swelling and inflammation that is the cause of the discomfort. Ice packs are placed on wounds and infections to relieve pain and swelling.

Ice packs are an inexpensive, effective, and drug-free way to treat pain caused by tendonitis, sprains, bruises, strains, and edema due to surface tissue injuries. Injuries like muscle and ligament sprains are often treated with cold therapies. Cold therapy, or cryotherapy, is often used to treat conditions such as runner's knee and recently strained muscles that cause acute discomfort.

Sales of hot and cold packs accounted for 26.7% share of the global musculoskeletal pain market in 2021.

Sales Analysis of Hot and Cold Packs (2017 to 2021) Vs. Market Outlook (2022 to 2032)

The hot and cold packs market expanded at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2017 to 2021 due to an increase in the number of accidents, chronic wounds, sports injuries, and burns.

The market is growing due to the increase in road accidents across the world.

• According to a 2022 estimate from WHO, 1.3 million people die each year as a result of traffic accidents, and 20 to 50 million more suffer nonfatal injuries.

These non-fatal wounds can result from minor incidents that break bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This may cause the affected area to become painful, swollen, and red. For the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury, applying ice may relieve the swelling. After the inflammation has subsided, hot packs can be used to promote blood flow and oxygenation to the affected area. The healing process can benefit from this. For this reason, the market for hot and cold packs is growing.

In addition, the increasing popularity of hot and cold packs is attributed to musculoskeletal problems.

• According to 2021 data from WHO, 1.71 billion people worldwide live with musculoskeletal conditions.

Low back pain, which affects 568 million people worldwide, is the most common musculoskeletal disorder. The most typical symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders are pain and restricted movement. Back and neck pain, traumatic fractures, sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and osteopenia are among the conditions associated with it. Applying hot and cold compresses relieves the pain.

Additionally, people who have had a spinal cord injury run the danger of acquiring conditions including muscular spasms, pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, osteoporosis, and chronic pain that can be debilitating or even fatal. Spinal cord injuries can be treated using cold packs. A cold pack has benefits that include reducing the cell metabolism in the area and acting as an anaesthetic to lessen discomfort.

Based on the above factors, the global hot and cold packs market is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 3.1% during the forecast period (2022 to 2032).

What are the Key Opportunities for Hot and Cold Pack Manufacturers?

Due to an increase in the geriatric population across the world, the industry is expected to have a positive outlook.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2022 that the percentage of people over 60 years old in the population is steadily increasing. It reached the 1 billion mark in 2019 and will reach 1.4 billion by 2030.

As older people age, their bones lose other minerals besides calcium. As a result, the bones become more brittle day by day. The spinal discs also start to lose fluid and become thinner as a result. Our muscles weaken and shrink as we age, which can lead to weakness, fatigue, and a decreased ability to exercise. As we age, the cartilage in our joints becomes thinner and shrinks, making joints stiffer and less mobile.

The joints feel tight because the ligaments tend to contract and lose some of their flexibility. In the long run, this can lead to discomfort and weakness. Therefore, hot water bags are used to give muscles the heat they need to recover. They help treat sprains, relieve sore muscles, etc.

Nowadays, more and more people are doing sports, which increases the demand for hot and cold packs. Due to the increase in sports injuries, the demand for hot and cold packs is also increasing. Sports injuries can be caused by overtraining, poor conditioning, and improper form or technique. Strains, tears, sprains, bruises, and broken bones can be the result of sports injuries. Soft tissues that can be affected include tendons, ligaments, bursae, fascia, and muscles.

• A 2022 paper from the John Hopkins Medicine Organization claims that sports contribute to nearly 3.5 million injuries each year in the United States. A pulled muscle is also known as a muscle strain. The hamstrings, lower back, shoulder, quadriceps, and calves are the muscle groups most commonly affected by muscle strains. Ice therapy can relieve mild muscle sprains.

Back pain can be caused by overuse, such as playing too much golf or carrying heavy objects. For this type of back pain, it is usually sufficient to use only ice packs. Since they are readily available in most clinics and stores, the market for hot and cold packs will continue to grow.

How is Demand Growth for Hot and Cold Packs Being Adversely Affected?

To relieve pain and inflammation, hot and cold packs are important. However, the use of packs can occasionally vary depending on the type of wound. Applying a warm pack to an open wound or an injury that needs quick attention can make the situation worse. Long-term use of hot packs can result in skin rashes, burns, an increase in heart rate, a drop in blood pressure, and an increase in edema and inflammation.

The main obstacle to market expansion is the accessibility of substitute analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These drugs are usually available at a lower price. In addition, the general lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of analgesics is a major reason for the widespread use of analgesics for quick pain relief. Consumers' lack of knowledge about the latest pain management techniques, the availability of inexpensive generic drugs, and increasing health concerns are leading to high consumption of analgesics and, consequently, high acceptance of over-the-counter medications among consumers in emerging markets.

In addition, there are non-drug/device therapy options for pain management, including physical therapy/exercise, relaxation techniques, yoga, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy. These elements combined are adversely impacting the growth of the hot and cold packs market.

Country-wise Insights

Why is the United States a Huge Market for Hot and Cold Packs?

The United States dominated the global market with a share of 18.6% in 2021 and this high growth is expected to continue throughout the forecast period.

Rise in the use of hot and cold packs can be attributed to growing health awareness among people. As a result of the increasing incidence of arthritis, hot and cold packs are becoming more common for basic pain and inflammation management. This means that the U.S. is likely to dominate the global market over the projection period.

Which Factors Make India an Attractive Market for Hot and Cold Packs?

India will account for a share of 6.3% of the global market by the end of 2032.

• According to figures released by WHO in June 2022, between 20 and 50 million people suffered injuries due to road accidents, with 93% of these incidents occurring in developing and middle-income countries such as China, India, Africa, and Japan.

Because they are affordable, non-surgical pain and injury management procedures are becoming increasingly popular in these countries. Because of their low cost and quick availability, heat and cold packs are in high demand in these situations.
Demand for heat and cold packs is increasing as a result of these advances in the medical industry, there driving market expansion.

Category-wise Insights

Why are Gel Packs in Such High Demand?

With demand expected to increase at a CAGR of 7.1% globally, gel packs account for a significant market share of 26.5%. Gel packs will dominate the market due to their several benefits, which include the ability to retain heat for a longer period of time than water and relieve pain.

Will Muscular Inflammation Continue Accounting for High Product Demand?

By application, muscle inflammation is the leading segment in the hot and cold packs industry, with a revenue share of 42.1% in 2021 and an expected CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2032.

Demand for hot and cold packs is increasing due to the growing incidence of musculoskeletal problems.

• According to WHO, 1.71 billion people worldwide will be living with musculoskeletal conditions in 2021. Low back pain, which affects 568 million people worldwide, is the most common musculoskeletal disorder.

The main treatment method for pain relief and anti-inflammation is heat and cold packs. Therefore, goods such as heat and cold packs are used in operations.

Which Distribution Channel Leads the Sales of Hot and Cold Packs?

In 2021, hospitals led the global market with 42.3% market value share. The use of hot and cold packs is growing with the increasing incidence of arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders, as well as the rise in traffic accidents. As a result, hot and cold packs are becoming more common in hospitals.

Competitive Landscape

Hot and cold pack manufacturing is a highly competitive industry that has resulted in a fragmented market. Companies resort to strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, and new product introductions to meet product demand and expand their customer base.

• In June 2022, a leading innovative medical device company, Enovis, announced a partnership with Kelvi, an innovator of digital hot and cold therapy products.
• In June 2022, 3M agreed to transfer rights to the Neoplast and Neobun brands and related assets in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.
• In June 2022, Cardinal Health announced the acquisition of the purchasing organization Bendcare (CPO-GPO) and made an investment in its service organization.

Hot and Cold Packs Industry Report Scope

Hot and Cold Packs Industry Research Segmentation

By Product:

• Therapy Water Bags
• Gel Packs
• Patch
• Wraps/Packs
• Others

By Application:

• Muscular Inflammation
• Pain Management
• Trauma and Injuries

By Distribution Channel:

• Hospital Pharmacies
• e-Commerce
• Retail Pharmacies

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia
• East Asia
• Oceania
• Middle East and Africa (MEA)

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