To use Ice or Heat? That is the question!
For those of us that have sustained an injury, sports related, slip and fall or even just for a pulled muscle. We often think to use various modalities such as ice pack or heating pack to help us through our pain. However, we usually don’t understand the logic behind using ice or heat and they can have various effects at different stages of your recovery.
The use of ice promotes a few things, the cold helps to restrict blood flow to the injured area which reduce the amount of swelling inside. In this sense, it helps to keep inflammation under control and thus helps with pain control.
On the other hand, the use of heat actually increases circulation. Studies have shown that heat helps with muscle relaxation and thus will help drastically with reducing muscle tightness or tension.
As a general rule, never use heat on something that is swollen or feeling swollen. This will attract unnecessary accumulation of fluid into an area that is already not in good shape. Ice will be the more appropriate modalities for any acute injuries and or intense swelling. And as always, it is best to consult with a medical practitioner regarding the best course of action with regards to an injury.
