Should you ice or heat an injury?
Ice packs and heat pads are among the most commonly used treatments in orthopedics. So which one is the right one to use, ice or heat? And how long should the ice or heat treatments last? Read on for information about treatment of injuries with ice packs and heating pads...
Ice Treatment
Ice treatment is most commonly used for acute injuries. If you have a recent injury (within the last 48 hours), where swelling is a problem, you should be using ice treatment. Ice packs, applied for 10 to 20 minutes, can help minimize swelling around the injury.
Ice packs are commonly used after injuries such as an ankle sprain. Applying an ice pack early and often for the first 48 hours will help minimize swelling.
Decreasing swelling around an injury will help to control the pain.
Ice treatments may also be used for chronic conditions, such as overuse injuries in athletes. In this case, ice the injured area after activity. Never ice a chronic injury before activity. However, icing after activity will help control the inflammatory response.
Heat Treatment
Heat treatments should be used for chronic conditions to help relax and loosen tissues, and to stimulate blood flow to the area. Use heat treatments on chronic conditions, such as overuse injuries, before participating in activities.
Do not use heat treatments after activity, and do not use heat after an acute injury (see above). Heating tissues can be accomplished using a heating pad, or even a hot, wet towel, applied for 10 to 30 minutes. When using heat treatments, be very careful to use a moderate heat for a limited time (be careful of burns). Never leave heating pads or towels on for extended periods or while sleeping.