![]() ![]() The same research 1 has also shown that rather than enhance the recovery of athletes, cryotherapy can delay recovery due to the extreme cold properties of this type of treatment. Icing too long can actually lead to muscle damage and delayed recovery because healing factors and chemicals cannot get through restricted vessels. ![]() New research 1 is showing that the optimum time for ice or cryotherapy, which simulates a very cold environment, is within the first six hours of injury. Is that something I should be doing?Ī: Ice is better if your goal is pain control, because cold reduces swelling and tissue damage by causing blood vessels to constrict. If you have such a condition, you may not be able to detect when the old compress is actually damaging your skin.Q: I am confused when I should use ice or heat on an injury? Also, cryotherapy tanks and immersion seem to be a new trend. An example of such a condition might be diabetic neuropathy in which a diabetes condition causes nerve damage. If you have a disorder that prevents you from feeling a normal range of sensations, you should avoid cold therapy. When Should Cold Compresses Never Be Used? Each application should last for around 20 minutes. This will then help to stem any bleeding that you may be suffering.Īs a suggestion, we would recommend applying a cold compress to the affected area at intervals of around 2-3 hours. It does this by constricting the blood vessels in the area of the injury. ![]() If you have an open wound, the cold compress will also help by reducing the rate of blood flow. They will reduce inflammation and will also relieve pain and swelling, which will be the key problems to overcome during the first few days of such an injury. ![]() On Which Occasions Should Cold Compresses Be Used?Ĭold compresses (or ice packs as they are sometimes called) are best used on acute injuries and in the first few days after these injuries have occurred. In addition to the above, if you have high blood pressure, you should check with your doctor before using a hot compress. Precautions To Observe When Using A Hot Compress As with cold therapy, you should avoid the use of a hot compress if you have limited feeling due to nerve damage. You should also avoid using hot compresses if you have diabetes, deep vein thrombosis or multiple sclerosis. The increased blood flow may increase bleeding from the wound. It will only make these problems worse.Īlso avoid using heat therapy of any kind if you have an open wound. When Should Hot Compresses Never Be Used?Īvoid using hot compresses on areas where you have contusions or swelling. When used to treat muscle stiffness, you can benefit from applying a hot compress for as little as 20-30 minutes. In those circumstances, a hot compress can provide benefits when used for periods of two hours or even more. This is particularly true when you are using a hot compress for pain relief. In general, hot therapy is best applied for longer periods than cold therapy. They do this by opening up your blood vessels to allow a faster rate of flow.Īnother benefit of using a hot compress is a reduction in muscle or joint stiffness. Hot Compresses will improve your blood circulation to a specific area. Compresses that can serve a dual purpose (functioning as both hot and cold treatments) offer additional versatility in managing various types of conditions. It’s also useful to keep a few of them at home to deal with insect stings or bites, falls or the other accidents that will inevitably take place. You can take Hot & Cold Compresses along with you on business or vacation trips to help manage ongoing injuries. You can also easily treat chronic injuries at home using a hot pack that you have left in the microwave for a minute or two. They are simple to use and you can employ them just as effectively at home as can your therapist at the clinic or on the court. Sprains, strains, contusions and other injuries experienced at home or on the playing field can be effectively treated by cold packs activated in just a few minutes. Hot & Cold Compresses are a convenient tool for treating both acute and chronic injuries. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). ![]()
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