Cold Therapy vs. Heat Therapy Pain Relief
Your high school coach said to ice your soreness. Your friend said to apply heat. The hypochondriac at the gym says, “Both. Always use both just in case.” Let’s get to the facts.
What Is Cold Therapy?
When you pull or strain a muscle, tendon or ligament you have a soft tissue injury. Soft tissue injuries are painful due to the physical trauma of the injury and the swelling. The result is stiffness, pain and muscle or joint tenderness due to blood flowing to the affected area.
Cold therapy in the form of ice or a gel pack slows down the circulation around the injury, reduces inflammation, muscle spasms and pain. In addition, cold therapy causes local constriction of the blood vessels, helping to reduce swelling.
The RICE Method
When you incur this type of injury, you can apply the RICE method for 24-48 hours after the injury:
Rest the affected area
Ice the area to reduce swelling
Compression, or loosely wrapping the area will help decrease the swelling
Elevating the injury above the level of your heart will minimize swelling
Apply cold therapy for 20 minutes, remove it for 10 minutes, and then reapply.
What Is Heat Therapy?
Heat opens up blood vessels and increases blood flow, while cold slows your blood flow and reduces pain and swelling at the time of injury and the days following. In addition, the increased blood flow supplies oxygen and nutrients that help in reducing pain in your joints, relaxes your sore muscles, decreases spasms and can increase your range of motion and flexibility.
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Please make sure to speak to a doctor before use if you have redness over an affected area or if you have questions about relieving your pain.
