Help! Do I use Ice or Heat!
Over my years of practice, our patients frequently use ice and heat improperly to reduce pain.
Purpose of both Ice and Heat
Ice: used to reduce swelling or inflammation by slowing down blood flow. It can reduce pain by dulling or numbing the injured area, but it is not primarily a pain reducer.
Heat: increases blood flow which helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients and remove waste. It relaxes healthy muscles, reducing pain.
Patient in acute, intense pain says, “Hey, but heat feels better!” Doctor: “Yes and it promotes more swelling and pain. Ice it for now. ”
Have you sprained an ankle in the past? You automatically use ice to reduce swelling. I doubt your first instinct would be a heating pad.
Treating the Spine
The problem with acute back or neck pain is the non-visible swelling that occurs in the spine versus the superficial ankle joint, for example. By reducing the swelling with ice on the back or neck, you reduce the inflammation in the soft tissue as well as diminish the pressure and sensitivity of the nerves. This allows normal nerve function and accelerates the healing process.
Uses of Ice
It’s effective in acute treating sprains and strains caused by physical activity. It also helps stop nosebleeds, and can be used to reduce the severity of minor burns. Cold therapy is also effective in treating varicose veins, edemas, low blood pressure, headaches, circulatory problems and sleeplessness.
Uses of Heat
Muscle stiffness and chronic, ongoing pain are common uses of heat. It can also be used on more acute problems, such as respiratory infections, bronchitis, asthma, and circulatory problems. Heat therapy is also effective at treating cramps, muscle pain, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Which is the best therapy for your situation?
Contact us for a free consultation with one of our physicians. We will help determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition.
http://www.euclidchiropracticinc.com
email us: euclidchiropracticinc@yahoo.com
(909) 981-5666
Purpose of both Ice and Heat
Ice: used to reduce swelling or inflammation by slowing down blood flow. It can reduce pain by dulling or numbing the injured area, but it is not primarily a pain reducer.
Heat: increases blood flow which helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients and remove waste. It relaxes healthy muscles, reducing pain.
Patient in acute, intense pain says, “Hey, but heat feels better!” Doctor: “Yes and it promotes more swelling and pain. Ice it for now. ”
Have you sprained an ankle in the past? You automatically use ice to reduce swelling. I doubt your first instinct would be a heating pad.
Treating the Spine
The problem with acute back or neck pain is the non-visible swelling that occurs in the spine versus the superficial ankle joint, for example. By reducing the swelling with ice on the back or neck, you reduce the inflammation in the soft tissue as well as diminish the pressure and sensitivity of the nerves. This allows normal nerve function and accelerates the healing process.
Uses of Ice
It’s effective in acute treating sprains and strains caused by physical activity. It also helps stop nosebleeds, and can be used to reduce the severity of minor burns. Cold therapy is also effective in treating varicose veins, edemas, low blood pressure, headaches, circulatory problems and sleeplessness.
Uses of Heat
Muscle stiffness and chronic, ongoing pain are common uses of heat. It can also be used on more acute problems, such as respiratory infections, bronchitis, asthma, and circulatory problems. Heat therapy is also effective at treating cramps, muscle pain, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Which is the best therapy for your situation?
Contact us for a free consultation with one of our physicians. We will help determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition.
http://www.euclidchiropracticinc.com
email us: euclidchiropracticinc@yahoo.com
(909) 981-5666
Thanks for the advice. I didn't realize I was making my problem worse before I came in. That ice treatment really allowed the pain to subside along with the adjustments.
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