You may be able to find physical therapy recommendations for ice packs and heating pads to treat common injuries, but it can be difficult to know which one treats which injuries most effectively. Both are valuable and low-cost ways to augment a treatment plan, but using the wrong one can slow the healing process or even damage it. Here’s a closer look at how to make the right judgment call.

A Guide to Heat & Ice Therapy for Injuries

When to Ice

If you have an acute injury like a sprain, using an ice pack is a good short-term solution for minimizing pain and swelling, stemming bleeding into surrounding tissues, and reducing the risk of lasting damage. It’s also good for chronic injuries to joints and muscles from regular use—but only after physical activity, never before.

While purpose-made ice packs are widely available in many shapes and sizes for physical therapy, you don’t have to invest in one if you don’t expect to use it regularly. Simply wrapping ice cubes in a plastic bag or towel can achieve the same effect at no cost, as can bagged frozen foods, such as peas. 

You shouldn’t ice an injury for more than 30 minutes, and stop immediately if the affected area becomes red or pink. Move it around on the injury for half an hour and take a break to allow yourself to recover.

When to Heat

For persistent conditions, heat can be an excellent way to relax muscle tissues and stimulate blood flow to the injured area. Both ice and heat can be used for chronic conditions, but the key difference is that heat should be applied before undertaking physical activity. This can help relieve symptoms of chronic pain and stress, like back pain, tension, anxiety, and heightened nervousness. 

Heating can be achieved easily and quickly with a heating pad or a hot, damp towel for short lengths of time. Whichever you use, it shouldn’t be so hot as to be uncomfortable or painful; instead, aim for a moderate heat level. Finally, never leave a heated pad on your body for long periods or overnight.

Contrasting Therapy

If your physical therapist recommends it for your injury, it may be a good idea to try alternating hot and cold treatments for an injury. While this is up to personal preference and medical advice, it has proven to be effective for healing.

If you’re in need of outstanding physical therapy in the Dalton, GA, area, rely on Associates In Orthopedics & Sports Medicine PC. With state-of-the-art technology and the finest training available, this diverse team of expert doctors is trusted by 125 health care providers and countless satisfied patients. To learn more about how they can help you recover and relieve your pain, call (706) 226-5533 or explore their services online.