Is ice or heat better for injuries


It’s hard to get through life without straining a muscle, spraining a ligament, suffering a headache or doing your back. And the longer you’re on the planet, the more susceptible you are to arthritis.
When something hurts, will ice or heat make it feel better?
Here’s what Caulfield Family Chiropractic advises:
  • Sports injuries: “Ice seems cold, mean and uncomfortable. Heat seems warm, comfy and cozy,” says Dr Stacy Budlender (Chiropractor). “Ice wins for acute pain, inflammation and swelling. Heat perpetuates the cycle of inflammation and can be harmful.”Dr Jake Bright (Chiropractor) adds “Moist heat helps to loosen injured muscles before activity or stretching. Icing afterward can minimize pain.”
  • Headaches: “Cold masks or wraps over the forehead, eyes and temples help the throbbing pain of a migraine,” Ice is preferred, but heat wraps can halt neck spasms that contribute to headache.
  • Arthritis: Heat wins for arthritis and injuries that linger more than six weeks. “Patients with more chronic osteoarthritis usually feel better with heat,” s. But for acute gout flares, Dr Stacy prefers ice.
You can apply ice and heat in lots of ways. Our team generally recommend up to 10 minutes on and 20 minutes off:
  • Ice packs: Frozen peas or corn, ice cubes in a baggie or frozen gel pack. You can ice beyond 48 hours, until swelling, tenderness or inflammation are gone.
  • Ice massage: Freeze water in a Dixie cup, peel back the top, and massage the tender area until it’s numb. (Best for targeted icing after injury or for areas too awkward for ice packs, like the elbow or heel).
  • Cold masks: Place a cold mask, available at drugstores, over your eyes or lay a towel soaked in cold water over your forehead and temples.
  • Moist heat: Enjoy a bath, shower, hot tub or whirlpool using warm, not hot, water (33-37°C).
  • Heat wraps: Drape a heat wrap, available at drugstores, around your neck like a scarf (great for work or travel).
  • Heating pads: To avoid burns, remove heating pads if the area becomes uncomfortably warm.

When to use caution

Paraffin wax treatments supply moist heat but overheating can cause burns. (Treatments are labor-intensive and supplies are pricey, too.)
“Use caution on areas with decreased sensation if you have neuropathy (from diabetes or another condition) or Raynaud’s syndrome,” . Extreme temperatures can damage skin.
Need to make an appointment fast? Call Caulfield Family Chiropractic 9532 8715

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Myotherapy in Caulfield

When muscles and tendons become damaged or impaired, knotted and tense or immobile, Myotherapy in Caulfield provides a healing treatment that can be gentle or strong, deep or shallow. Myotherapy in Caulfield holistically treats the whole body and traces the discomfort as far as possible back to the original cause, healing both the cause of the disorder as well as the symptoms. Myotherapy in Caulfield Techniques Massage uses several specialised techniques to locate and repair damage and to support and speed up the body’s own repair mechanisms. The massage is applied directly to the skin using oil, which ensures that the muscles associated with the disorder and mobilisation of the joint are deeply penetrated. Passive stretching moves are also used. Benefits of Myotherapy in Caulfield at Caulfield Family Chiropractic Key benefits of Myotherapy in Caulfield include: the stimulation to the blood supply allowing toxins in the muscles to be removed; the calming o...
Read more

Malvern East Chiropractic

Chiropractic care is what we offer at our chiropractic clinic near Malvern East. Having spent over 10 years servicing Melbourne’s inner suburbs we are enjoying being near Malvern East. Caulfield Family Chiropractic enjoy offering the Melbourne community chiropractic care for the entire family. From newborn, teens, adults and the elderly CFChiro® offers chiropractic care to suit your needs. Our team of Chiropractors encourage family visits and have great family plans. Click here to learn more about chiropractic near Malvern East . We know that the care you get from our Chiropractors at CFChiro® is pivitol for success, so much more can be achieved when the home care advice given is followed and that’s why our Chiropractic Team near Malvern East will proscribe home care and advice to our clients. Our Chiropractors provide heaps of take home information and Chiropractic Care near Malvern East, they will give you advice that you can take away and help you and yo...
Read more

Back Pain

As part of Spinal Health Week 2019, Caulfield Family Chiropractic is raising awareness of chronic back pain and encouraging Australians to seek help. Spinal Health Week encourages people to seek help for chronic back problems. Chronic back pain is a national issue. One in six Australians suffer from the physical and psychological effects of chronic back problems – that’s an estimated 3.7 million people suffering. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare defines chronic back pain as a health condition that lasts for three months or longer. If you or anyone you know is affected by chronic back pain, the good news is that you don’t need to suffer in silence. You can visit us to find out how chiropractic care can help. At Caulfield Family Chiropractic, we are encouraging our patients and the Caulfield community to think about chronic back pain and take steps to improve spinal health. In addition to chiropractic care, simple measures suc...
Read more