Should You Use Heat Or Ice For An Injury?

If you’ve ever experienced an injury from a workout or even just moving the wrong way, you’ve probably wondered if you should plug in the heating pad or pull out the ice back. We often hear people do both, which can further aggravate the injury. Instead of getting stuck being in pain, follow our tips so you know when to use heat or ice therapy.  

WARM THINGS UP!  

When you think of relaxation, what do you imagine? For many, it’s a soak in the hot tub, a nice hot bath, or sitting in the sauna. That’s because heat is an excellent method to help the mind and body relax. Heat opens up the blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the affected area. If you are experiencing general aches and pains, heat is a great option. It can also help repair damaged tissue because increased blood flow promotes healing. Minor tension and stiffness are usually relieved after about 20 minutes of heat therapy.

When using heat therapy, take care not to burn yourself. It may seem obvious, but it happens more often than you might think. You should also avoid heat therapy if you have swelling or bruising and keep it away from any open wounds. If you suffer from heart disease or hypertension, reach out to your primary care physician before using heat treatment.  

CHILL OUT  

Cold therapy is the way to go when it comes to inflammation. The cold temperature will reduce swelling and inflammation by restricting blood flow. Any time you experience a sprain, strain, or bruising, reach for the ice pack. There are two methods of using ice therapy:  

• Immediate: Right after an injury is sustained, putting ice on the area can prevent stiffness
• Rehabilitation: Physical therapists, massage therapists, and chiropractors all use cold therapy to reduce pain and spasms  

If you have poor circulation or cardiovascular disease, consult with your primary care physician before using cold therapy. You also want to be mindful of how long you are icing your injury, and you shouldn’t exceed 15-20 minutes as icing an area for too long can cause skin, tissue, or nerve damage.

If you have cardiovascular disease or poor circulation, consult with your doctor before using cold therapy. You also want to be aware of how long you are icing your injury (15-20 minutes max at a time) because icing an area for too long can cause nerve, tissue, or skin damage.  

COME TO WILLS CHIROPRACTIC  

If you have experienced an injury from physical activity, heat and cold therapy can be extremely helpful, but they aren’t long-term solutions. A healthy musculoskeletal system is imperative to your overall health, wellness, and healing and affects how the entire body functions. With regular chiropractic care at your local Rochelle, IL chiropractor, you will experience decreased pain and tension as the body’s natural healing process gets to work. To learn more about how chiropractic care can benefit you or to schedule your next adjustment, click here to contact us.