USE NATURAL METHODS TO RELIEVE PAIN FROM AN INJURY! When To Use Ice & Heat For Pain Relief
How to use ice Ice is useful when you want to reduce swelling. For example, your ankle balloons up after a sprain. This is because blood and fluid collect rapidly, making it both painful and stiff. Ice packs are very useful in bruises, strains and joint swellings. Use them for any acute swelling, over the first 24 to 48 hours (except back strains). Ice helps later too, while exercising the limb. Our friendly physical therapists can show you how to makemovements less painful and more flexible by using an ice pack just before or during exercise. How to use heat Heat packs, bottles or infrared
lamps can be very useful if you have a muscle spasm or 48 hours after injury. Heat improves the circulation, soothes and relaxes the muscles by carrying away toxins and bringing in healing oxygen. Heat can comfort a back or neck strain, especially if it has been persisting for some time. When not to use heat Don’t use heat if you have a painful, red or swollen joint. This increases circulation so that fluid collects, worsening the swelling and stretching or compressing the nerves and surrounding healthy tissue. When to use neither heat nor ice Whether you use hot or cold packs, be aware that you can damage your skin and deeper tissues by careless use. Don’t use it if you have an open or infected wound. If the circulation or sensation level is poor, as in diabetes, ice and heat could cause the skin to break down, get infected and worse. But in ordinary injuries, ice and heat provide inexpensive, non-toxic pain relief. Visit us for more help with using ice or heat. We’ll speed up your recovery and get you moving more easily. Are your muscles still strained or weak from a past injury? Call us today at 801-944-1209 to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists.
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