Therapy...Fire & Ice

Therapy

Hot / Cold therapy - heat or ice therapy - has been around for a long time. Both are quite beneficial when used for the right application at the right time. The key is knowing whether ice or heat is needed.

Ice

In general, cryotherapy slows down blood circulation in an area to reduce pain and swelling after an injury. Inflammation and pain often accompany an acute injury. So in the first 72 hours after an injury, only apply ice.

 

Ice reduces inflammation and numbs the pain in short spurts like 10 minutes at a time once an hour. Be sure to use a towel between you and the ice pack.

Heat

In general, thermotherapy relaxes muscles and joints.  

If you are directed to do so by your doctor, apply heat (A moist heating pad is fine.) for 10 to 15 minutes.  

 

Combination: Heat/Ice

Your doctor may direct you to do the hot/cold/hot routine. If so, apply heat for 10 minutes then an ice pack for 10 minutes followed by heat for 10 minutes.

 

Heat sedates muscles and joints, and cold drives out inflammation. A balance of the two will oftentimes produce the best results.

Use cryotherapy ( ice ) and thermotherapy ( heat ) as directed by your physician. If anything aggravates your condition, discontinue and contact Chiropractic Care. 

                              

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605 

Chicago, IL 60602 - Phone: 312-269-5556 

Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430 

Phone: 708-798-5556