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Disclaimer: Use caution when using either therapy.
Ice and heat therapy both can interfere with circulation,
especially in the elderly, immune-compromised, and
those with circulatory problems or who suffer from
serious disease. When in doubt, check with your
physician. Never use any form of ice or heat therapy
unless you're certain it's appropriate for you.
Many people often wonder about whether to use ice or heat after an injury or ailment. The following information will help you with that decision. About Ice
Ice is used when an acute injury (e.g. sports injury, sprained joint, fall or other impact, whiplash, exacerbation of an existing injury, etc.) has resulted in acute inflammation in the area of injury. Signs of acute inflammation include swelling, redness or a change in skin temperature. Ice helps to reduce swelling and inflammation, reduce redness and irritation, and reduce pain. In general, ice is appropriate for acute stage care, however, if ice seems ineffective, or if you feel worse after 5 to 10 minutes, discontinue and consult your physician. Using Ice Safely Do not use ice if you have a cold allergy (hives, joint pain, nausea), Raynaud's Phenomenon, decreased circulation, or desensitized areas. When possible, use frozen gel packs for ice therapy. Gel packs reduce the risk of injury such as circulation problems or frostbite. Wrap the pack in a thin towel and apply it to the injured or painful area. Using a damp towel increases the ice's effectiveness. If your gel pack is cloth-covered, you may apply it directly. Do not lie on the cold pack as this may cause some of the gel to escape the pack. You can expect to feel a little cold discomfort or aching in the area before any numbness or pain reduction takes place. Limit your gel pack sessions to 20 minutes each. It is recommended to use the ice intermittently, 20 minutes out of every hour; use the packs 20 minutes on, 40 minutes off, 20 minutes on, and so forth. Ice Massage Ice massage can also be used in acute injury. To do this, freeze water in a paper cup. When it is frozen, tear off ½ inch of the paper. Massage the injured area using a circular motion careful not to use heavy pressure. Continue for no longer than 5 minutes, or until the skin turns pink. About Heat
Heat is used for chronic muscle spasm, chronic stiff joints, or chronic pain. Heat helps to increase circulation to the affected area, bring fresh nutrients to an area that is healing, and relax chronically stiff muscles and joints to improve function. Using Heat Safely Do not use heat if you have circulatory problems, hemmorhagic tendencies, sunburn, rash, or on desensitized areas. Wrap hot pack in four to eight layers of thick toweling to start with. Adjust towel thickness as needed, but use caution. A pack that seems too cold at first may heat up rapidly. In general, you may heat commercial hot packs in either boiling water or the microwave. Microwavable packs can be safer to handle in this regard, but you must warm them gradually. Follow the instructions that come with the pack (or from your physician). A safe way to use heat is in the form of a simple compress heated in warm (not hot) water. Or soak in a warm bath, or let a warm shower run directly on the area. Regardless of the method you chose, limit heat therapy to 20 minutes. As for heating pads, my advice is never to use them. Heating pads are dry heat and can overheat quickly and burn you before you know what's happening. Also dry heat dries and congests the tissues, which increases the pressure on nerve endings and causes increased pain. Final Note
Remember - if you have any questions before using either heat or ice therapy, consult Dr. Deanna at 773.283.4470. |
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Come in, give us a call or email us and find out how
our
chiropractic and massage treatments can reduce
pain and enhance your health. We apply a range of
approaches -- from physical rehabilitation to
nutritional counseling to acupuncture -- to address
problem areas, treat injuries or encourage overall
wellness. Give us a call at 773.283.4470 or email us
at info@sauganashwellness.com to make an
appointment.
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CLICK HERE for your chance to win a
FREE ONE-HOUR MASSAGE! At the end of each month we will select one lucky winner at random to win a one-hour massage at Sauganash Wellness Center. One entry per day per person. GOOD LUCK! |
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Free Aromatherapy Treatment with Your First
Massage Session Massage Gift Certificates Available! Massages make great gifts! 60-minute massage gift certificates are $75.00 30-minute massage gift certificates are $50.00 Massage packages available: Buy 5 one-hour massages GET ONE FREE! - or- Buy 6 half-hour massages GET ONE FREE!
Sincerely,
Dr. Deanna Minkler Rachel Shaffer, LMT
Sauganash Wellness Center
email:
info@sauganashwellness.com
phone:
773.283.4470
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