Battle of the Medicine Cabinet Treatments: Ice Vs. Heat
September 19, 2013
A common question I get in my practice is whether it is better to use ice or heat when treating an injury. The simple answer is that both ice and heat can be beneficial in treating an injury at different times. But determining which one to use can prove quite confusing. Following are my top-line guidelines:
- Ice is generally used after an initial injury to help prevent inflammation, swelling and pain. It can also be used to treat a “flare up” of an older injury following physical activity. Ice cools the injured muscle and tissue by limiting blood flow and provides a direct numbing effect to sensitive nerves.
- Heat – in the form of a heating pad, warm towel, or hot shower or bath – is best used to treat older injuries that have begun to heal. Since heat improves blood flow to an area, it is used to “soften up” sore, stiff muscles or joints and “warm up” the injured area prior to exercise or activity.
As a general rule-of-thumb, consider applying heat before exercise to encourage blood flow, thereby allowing the injured area to move more freely. Following exercise, use ice to treat any swelling or irritation the activity may have caused.
Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch as I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
I have been reading out many of your articles and i can claim nice stuff. I will definitely bookmark your site.
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. All the best
Just want to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is simply cool and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
It¡¦s actually a cool and useful piece of info. I¡¦m happy that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Hello. fantastic job. I did not anticipate this. This is a remarkable story. Thanks!
Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!
Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this website, as i want enjoyment, since this this web page conations actually pleasant funny information too.|
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. kudos
With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement? My website has a lot of unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help stop content from being stolen? I’d really appreciate it.
It is truly a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
I think this is one of the most important information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The web site style is wonderful, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
Wow! Thank you! I constantly needed to write on my site something like that. Can I implement a fragment of your post to my site?
There is evidently a lot to realize about this. I consider you made some good points in features also.
Well I really enjoyed reading it. This subject offered by you is very helpful for proper planning.
You completed a number of fine points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all people will have the same opinion with your blog.
Wow, superb blog format! How long have you been running a blog for? you make running a blog look easy. The total look of your website is magnificent, as neatly as the content material!
Thanks for every one of your work on this web page. Ellie really loves getting into research and it is easy to see why. A lot of people notice all relating to the powerful manner you render insightful tricks on this website and therefore invigorate participation from visitors on this article plus our simple princess is truly discovering a lot of things. Take pleasure in the remaining portion of the year. You’re the one conducting a remarkable job.