HOT OR COLD THERAPY – WHICH THERAPY WORK BEST FOR YOU?

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HOT OR COLD THERAPY WHICH THERAPY WORK BEST FOR
YOU?
Deciding between hot or cold therapy can be a
confusing task. These therapies are often
recommended to overcome joint or muscle pain and
to aid injury recovery. Sometimes a combination
of these therapies, i.e. a hot cold therapy, is
also pitched as an effective solution. This
combination is often a process of alternating
between hot and cold therapy. However, the
question remains which therapy is best for
you? An effective way to reach clarity in this
regard is to dig deeper and know more about the
two therapies, their effects and how they
work? Cold Therapy Cold Therapy is also called
cryotherapy. It is usually done either with the
help of a bottle filled with cold water, a cool
pack frozen in a freezer or simply with some cold
water. The therapy is most effective when used
immediately after sustaining an acute injury,
i.e. a sprained ankle or a muscle. It restricts
the blood flow to the affected area and numbs the
nerve endings, which further helps reduce pain
and relieve other symptoms like inflammation and
swelling.
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Hot Therapy Hot therapy helps to dilate the
blood vessels, promote blood flow, and relax the
sore and tightened muscles. It is aimed at
relaxation and therefore, also ends up being
psychologically reassuring, which further helps
to enhance its analgesic properties. Heat
therapy, as it is sometimes called, can be given
using an electrical heating pad, hot water
bottle, hot compress, or a heat wrap. It is
highly effective for treating chronic muscle pain
or sore joints caused by arthritis. It is also
helpful in cases of strains and sprains,
tendonitis, osteoarthritis, warming up stiff
muscles or tissue before activity, relieving pain
or spasms relating to neck or back, or treating
injuries of the lower back. However, hot therapy
is not suitable for every injury type. It
shouldnt be used on an injury that might already
be hot or fresh. Also, avoid using it on red or
inflamed skin or on a person that might be
sensitive to heat due to a condition like
peripheral neuropathy or something similar.
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Alternating Between Hot and Cold Therapy Many
medical professionals recommend a mix of hot and
cold therapy for aches and pains caused by muscle
tears, overuse injuries, and chronic joint pain.
This hot cold therapy should not be used until at
least 48 hours after the injury has passed. For
the first 48 hours or so, only cold therapy is
recommended and after that, you can start
alternating between hot and cold therapies. This
combination results in the expansion and
contraction of blood vessels on the injury site
and helps to recover faster. Exercise-induced
muscle pain can also be reduced with the help of
this hot cold therapy combination. To sum up, it
can be said that cold therapy would work better
for immediate post-injury treatment and help
reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. Heat
therapy, on the other hand, is better suited for
relaxing muscles, treating chronic joint pain and
achieving better muscle movement. None of them
should be applied directly on the human skin and
require a layer of protection like a soft towel
in between. The benefits and precautions
associated with both should be carefully weighed
before going with one. Article
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