Heat and Cold Therapy

Heat and Cold Therapy

Heat and cold therapy are most common type of pain relief for muscles and joints. To use the right therapy it depends on whether the pain is new or recurring. 

Heat is generally used to relax sore muscles such as stiff joints, chronic muscle and joint pain. Heat works by bringing blood into the muscle and allowing the injured tissue to heal

Applying:
- sources can be either dry or moist warmth
- electric or microwavable heating pad, hot water bottle, gell packs or hot water baths
- the heat should be warm, not too hot

Recommendation:
- don't apply it directly on skin, wrap the hot device in a thin towel 
- apply heat after using ice for the first 48 to 72 hours
- 10 to 15 minutes of heat are acceptable, with at least an hour in between 
- applying heat for too long can increase inflammation and pain
- don't use heat if you have diabeties or poor circulation and have open wound or stitches

Cold is generally used to treat acute or new injuries which cause inflammation and swelling. Cold slows down blood flow and circulation, reducing inflamation, pain such as sprains or strains and muscle spasm.

Applying:
- Ice or gel pack

Recommendation:
- it should be used if the area is swollen or bruised
- wrap ice or ice packs in a thin towel 
- use ice for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury
- always use ice for around 10 to 20 minutes and then remove it for at least an hour before applying it again

The choice of heat or cold therapy should be based on patient and practitioner preferences and avaibility.