When you get hurt, your bank balance takes a dip, but two things keep increasing: your pain and recommendations of quacks. “Use a heat pack, use a cold pack, get injections, apply that ointment,” you’re constantly bombarded with voices like these. There’s so much information that you cannot decide what’s right for you, and end up doing something that either doesn’t benefit you or backfires.
While we cannot debunk every myth for you, we can help you find your ideal pick between heat therapy and cold therapy. Which one should you use, when to use it, and which products to use; we will guide you through each and every detail so that you can get the most out of your treatment. Let’s dive right in!
A Brief Overview Of Heat Therapy
Here’s everything you need to know about heat therapy:
What Is Heat Therapy?
How would you feel if you were wrapped in a cozy blanket on a freezing night? Warm, right? That is heat therapy for you. Heat therapy, also known as thermotherapy, is when you apply warmth to a certain body part that is in pain.
How Does Heat Therapy Work?
When heat is applied to any of your body parts, it increases blood flow and circulation in that particular area. This surge in blood triggers your body processes to bring more oxygen and nutrients to those tissues, hence helping with the healing process.
When To Use Heat Therapy?
Heat therapy is for you if you have:
● Chronic muscle pain that lingers after an injury or exercise
● Stiffness or soreness caused by extreme workouts or conditions like fibromyalgia
● Arthritis or joint stiffness
● Chronic lower back pain
Different Types Of Heat Therapy
Heat therapy is done in 2 ways:
Moist Heat
Moist heat is more effective at penetrating through your muscles, which is why if you have deeper muscle aches or spasms, this is your best shot. You can get moist heat therapy by using hot towels, steamed baths, and warm water compresses.
Dry Heat
While dry heat might not be as effective in penetrating through your muscles as moist heat, it is your best shot when you’re suffering from chronic pains. For long-term relief, you can use dry heat therapy in the form of heat pads, infrared lamps, or heat patches, like the SINSINPAS Arex.
Pros Of Heat Therapy
● Relaxes muscles
● Increases blood flow
● Improves flexibility
Cons Of Heat Therapy
● Not recommended for swelling or inflammation
A Brief Overview Of Cold Therapy
Here’s everything you need to know about cold therapy:
What Is Cold Therapy?
Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, involves applying cold to your affected area. This helps reduce inflammation on the affected site and numb pain as well. From a simple cold technology pain relief patch to cryotherapy chambers used by athletes, cold therapy comes in various forms.
How Cold Therapy Works?
When something cold is applied to your affected body part, it reduces the blood flow to that certain part. This helps slow down the inflammatory response, and as a result, your swelling goes down. It also numbs the nerve endings in your skin so that you can get temporary pain relief.
When To Use Cold Therapy?
Cold therapy is particularly useful in the first 24-48 hours after an injury and is for you if:
● You have acute injuries such as strains, sprains, or muscle tears
● You have inflammation or conditions like gout
● You have bruising
Different Types Of Cold Therapy
To get cold therapy, you can use:
● Easily accessible and convenient cold pain relief patches like SINSINPAS Arex
● More flexible and comfortable cold compresses
● More advanced ice baths and cryotherapy chambers, often used by athletes
Pros Of Cold Therapy
● Helps reduce swelling
● Provides quick pain relief
● Helps with acute injuries
Cons Of Cold Therapy
● Overuse can cause frostbite
How To Choose The Right Therapy For You?
To find your ideal pick between cold and heat therapy, here’s what you need to do:
1. Assess The Type Of Pain
Is your pain acute or chronic?
● Acute Pain - If you have a sudden injury, cold therapy will be your best choice because it will quickly reduce swelling. It will also help numb the sharp rising pain.
● Chronic Pain - If you have chronic illnesses or persistent pains, heat therapy is ideal for you because it is more beneficial for long-standing pain. It will help with muscle relaxation and reduce stiffness.
Pain Location And Duration
Next, you need to consider the injury’s location and the length of time since the pain began.
● For Immediate Injuries: You should start by applying cold therapy during the first 48 hours to reduce inflammation and numb the area.
● For Long-Term Relief: Once your inflammation subsides, heat therapy can be more beneficial. Using heat can help you with ongoing pain relief and improve muscle relaxation.
Safety Tips For Heat And Cold Therapy
Regardless of which therapy you use, here are a few safety guidelines you should follow:
● Limit your applications to a maximum of half an hour at a time, especially with cold therapy, because it helps you avoid frostbite. In heat therapy, it helps you avoid burns.
● For heat therapy, use warm temperatures instead of hot temperatures. Also, cold therapy doesn’t mean you should apply ice directly on your wound, as it can damage your skin.
● You can repeat the application after every 2-3 hours, but try to avoid constant or prolonged exposure.
Take Home Message
To sum it up, we can say that both heat and cold therapy are powerful methods of pain relief, each with its own strong forte. As a general rule of thumb, you can start with cold therapy for recent injuries, and once the acute phase has passed, you can shift to heat therapy.
SINSINPAS offers pain relief patches with both heat and cold technology so you can choose based on your preference. Remember, if you’re not sure about your medical condistion, its always best to consult an expert.
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