Does heat pad help kidney stone pain?

I have this dull ache in my side and I'm using a heating pad, but I'm so scared it might turn into that intense kidney stone pain people talk about. Has anyone else used heat for this? Did it actually prevent the pain from getting worse?

I was researching this online and apparently, heat therapy can stimulate blood flow and help reduce ureteral spasms. So yes, a heating pad might help ease the cramping sensation, though you still need medical treatment to actually pass or dissolve the stone.

When my brother had kidney stones, we used a warm compress on his lower back and it helped him relax a little bit while waiting for the doctor. It doesn't cure the stone, but the warmth definitely helps soothe the tense muscles around the area.

While a heating pad is a safe supportive measure to relax abdominal and lower back muscles, it cannot resolve a kidney stone. The stone's size and location must be evaluated via ultrasound. Please consult a urologist for proper diagnosis and medical management.

Please be very careful. I tried to manage my back pain with a heating pad, ignoring that it was a kidney stone, until it blocked my urinary tract and caused a kidney infection. If you have fever, vomiting, or blood in your urine, go to the hospital immediately.