If you are familiar with chiropractic care or even just sports activities, you’ve likely heard about heat and ice therapy.
While hot and cold are two entirely different elements used for various purposes, heat and ice therapy are both useful for alleviating certain injuries and pain.
However, when is it appropriate to use either one of them?
It all depends on the injury and what is causing your discomfort to determine whether to grab a heating pad or an ice pack.
What is Cold Therapy?
Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, is a treatment that involves applying anything cold to the body to reduce pain and swelling.
Cold temperatures restrict blood flow to areas of the body where they are applied, which helps control swelling.
When to use Cold Therapy
Cold therapy can be utilized in the form of ice packs or even cold water plunges to alleviate pain and discomfort from acute injuries such as:
- Sprains
- Scrapes
- Tendonitis
- Headaches
- Muscle Spasms
If you are experiencing any of these injuries or symptoms, it is best to place an icepack or anything else that is cold like a bag of frozen vegetables directly to the affected area. Repeat the application every two hours over the next couple of days.
If your symptoms do not improve, it may be a good idea to see a doctor.
What is Hot Therapy?
As opposed to cold, heat therapy improves blood circulation to certain areas of the body. However, like cold therapy, heat can be used to alleviate pain and injuries.
When to use Heat Therapy
Heat therapy targets the symptoms of chronic injuries and conditions including:
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Endometriosis
- Back pain
Heat therapy also works to release muscle tension, providing long-term relief from pain and discomfort.
If your symptoms are not alleviated after trying these two therapies, one of our services may help. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, give us a call at (631) 286-2300.
