WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOT GEL PACKS AND COLD PACKS?

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WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOT GEL PACKS AND
COLD PACKS?
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• Do you often feel confused about when to use a
  cold gel pack and when to use a hot gel pack?
  Since injuries can happen anytime, its crucial
  to be aware of what type of gel pack to use in
  what situation. This is because if you end up
  using the wrong treatment, the pain could become
  worse.
• In this article, well help you differentiate
  between cold and hot therapy, as well as when to
  use which one to alleviate pain.
• But before we get into the details, lets discuss
  some facts about both these treatment methods.
  Here are some major points to know about cold and
  hot treatment.
• Cold treatment helps in reducing inflammation by
  dropping the blood flow. It must be applied
  within 48 hours of the injury. It is mostly used
  for acute pain.
• 2. Hot treatment increases blood flow to the
  injured area while relaxing muscles. It is often
  used in case of chronic pains.
• 3.Alternate hot and cold treatment is
  recommended to decrease any exercise-induced
  muscle pain.
• 4. Avoid using extremely hot gel packs and never
  apply ice directly onto your skin.

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What is Cold Therapy? Cold therapy is the use of
ice gel packs for reducing pain in an injured
area by reducing blood flow. This treatment slows
down the rate of inflammation and redness on the
skin. Meanwhile, it reduces the risk of tissue
damage and swelling. It also helps in numbing
any sore tissues by acting as a local anaesthetic
to slow down the pain messages that are
transmitted to your brain cells. Cold therapy is
also helpful in reducing swollen muscles or
joints. However, this therapy is effective only
within 48 hours after an injury. Rest, ice,
compression and elevation (RICE) is the standard
treatment for most sports injuries. What is ice
gel pack useful for? The ice gel pack is useful
for treating 1. A recent injury2.
Osteoarthritis3. Gout
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4. Tendinitis5.  Strains6. A cold wrap or mask
can also be used around the forehead to reduce
migraine pain. When to avoid cold therapy The
cold packs are not suitable if- 1. A person is
already cold or the injured area is already
numb2.There is any risk of cramping on the
injured area3.There is a blistered skin or an
open wound4.A nerve disorder affects your blood
flow5.An individual is hypersensitive to
cold 6.An individual has some sort of sympathetic
dysfunction, vascular disease or injury affecting
blood flow. What is Heat Therapy?
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Heat therapy is the treatment of pains or
injuries using hot gel packs. This treatment is
applied on inflamed areas to promote blood flow,
dilate blood vessels and relax tightened
muscles. With improved blood circulation, the
build-up of lactic acid is eliminated after some
exercise. Heat is most effective compared to cold
packs at treating chronic muscle pain or sore
joints due to arthritis. What is a hot gel pack
useful for? Hot gel packs are useful for
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1.Providing comfort and relief to chronic
pain2.Alleviating pain due to osteoarthritis,
sprains and strains3.Chronic irritation,
tendonitis and stiffness in tendons4.Relieving
spasms or pain associated with back or neck
injury, including lower back pain.5.Warming up
tightened muscles or tissue before any
activity When avoid hot gel treatment? Hot gel
treatment should not be applied if 1.The
injured area is already numb2.The skin is red,
hot or inflamed3.An individual has open wound or
dermatitis4.An individual is insensitive to heat
because of peripheral neuropathy5.Also, avoid
the use of excessive heat on an
injury Conclusion Now that youre aware of when
and when not to use cold and hot gel packs, you
can figure out what type of treatment is required
for a particular pain or injury. However, its
best to consult a doctor first before using cold
or hot gel packs, especially if an injured person
has high BP or heart condition. Article
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etween-hot-gel-packs-and-cold-packs/