I've covered this topic before, but I feel that it is very important to talk about. Everyone gets confused on when to ice and when to heat. If you ask 5 professionals, you'll get 5 different answers. Therefore, I will attempt to put it in the simplest terms possible. Just remember that when the pain gets worse, you use ice. I recommend 3 times a day for 3 days. If you still have pain, it doesn't hurt to do it longer. If you ice more that 3 times a day, it will not hurt you. The only time ice will hurt you is if you don't put a barrier between the ice pack and your skin. Also, I don't recommend wrapping the ice pack in a towel. Towels are too thick. They don't allow the cold to penetrate the skin. Wrapping a paper towel or t-shirt around it is optimal. That way, the skin can get cold enough.
If the pain is your normal, achy, stiff pain, heat works better.
If you're an athlete, or exercising, heat before practice or performance helps warm up the body. It assists in getting the body prepared for the activity and demand on the muscles, ligaments, joints, etc. You can then, ice afterwords to control the inflammation caused by the activity.
So just remember, when the pain gets worse, ice. If It's the every day stiffness, heat.
And as always, if you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact me.
If the pain is your normal, achy, stiff pain, heat works better.
If you're an athlete, or exercising, heat before practice or performance helps warm up the body. It assists in getting the body prepared for the activity and demand on the muscles, ligaments, joints, etc. You can then, ice afterwords to control the inflammation caused by the activity.
So just remember, when the pain gets worse, ice. If It's the every day stiffness, heat.
And as always, if you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact me.
RSS Feed