When it comes to relieving pain or reducing inflammation, two simple yet effective treatments have been used for years. They are heat and cold therapy. Although they are very easy, applying heat or cold has been a question that everyone wonders about or has wondered about at least once in their life. If used properly, heat or cold therapy can do wonders. However, if heat is applied when cold therapy is to be used or vice versa, then it can worsen the problem.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy, clinically known as thermotherapy, increases the temperature of the area to which it is applied. This, in turn, causes an increased blood flow to that area, indirectly increasing the oxygen supply. All of this results in healing and providing comfort.
Applications/Uses
- Musculoskeletal conditions – Muscle aches and stiffness, Joint stiffness, and pain, Chronic muscle and joint pain, Neck pain
- Injury recovery – Subacute muscle strains, Subacute ligament sprains, Facilitating healing in subacute and chronic conditions
- Circulation improvement – Increasing blood flow to affected areas, Promoting healing by bringing oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
- Range of motion improvement – Increasing tissue extensibility, Enhancing flexibility
- Wound healing – Enhancing wound healing through increased blood flow
Methods of application
Dry heat Therapy
- Electric heating – These pads are easy to use and, furthermore, provide consistent heat as they are heated through electricity..
- Hot packs – You can apply pre-heated packs to the affected area.
- Hot water bottles – They usually maintain temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- Heat wraps – You wrap these around a certain area, and you can wear them under clothing for several hours..
- Aquathermia pads – They use circulating heated water for consistent temperature.
Moist Heat Therapy
- Hot compresses – They are usually warm, damp towels applied to the skin.
- Steam towels – Provide moist heat directly to the affected area.
- Hot baths or showers – Offer full-body moist heat therapy.
- Sitz bath – Used for pelvic, perineal, and rectal areas.
- Hot soaks – Immersing the affected body part in warm water.
- Moist heating packs – Specially designed to provide moist heat.
- Paraffin wax treatments – Particularly effective for hands and feet.
Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is clinically known as cryotherapy. It decreases the blood supply in a particular area. This in turn results in contracted muscles and blood vessels. Which causes less metabolic activity in that area and lesser nerve conduction, resulting in decreased pain sensation and inflammation.
Applications/Uses
- Inflammation- Tendonitis, Arthritis, bursitis
- Post-surgical recovery – Mainly used to reduce swelling and decrease blood flow.
- Post-exercise recovery
- Post dental extraction
- Bruise
- Ligament or muscle sprain and strain.
Methods of application
1. Ice Packs -These are the most common methods of cryotherapy. They can include ice in any form, frozen veggies, or even gels.
2. Cold Compresses -To make a cold compress, soak a washcloth or paper towel in cold or ice water.
3. Immersion – In this technique, you submerge the affected body part in ice or cold water.
4. Ice Massage -You apply ice directly to the affected area for a few minutes.
5. Coolant Sprays – They mostly contain menthol and can be applied anywhere. Coolant sprays provide quick relief.
6. Chemical Cold Packs – You activate these packs by squeezing them, and they provide instant cold therapy for about 30 minutes.
Contrast Therapy
At times just using one of these two therapies, won’t be the best option. In such cases, practitioners use contrast therapy, which involves alternating between heat therapy and cold therapy. This helps to reduce inflammation, give pain relief, and also heal the area efficiently.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both heat and cold therapy offer valuable, non-invasive approaches to managing pain, inflammation, and various musculoskeletal conditions. Contrast therapy can help combine the benefits of both. These therapies, when applied correctly, can provide significant relief and support healing processes without the need for medication or invasive procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Answered by Dr. Isha Kamble, Physiotherapist at Physioplus Healthcare & Clinical Researcher)
Q1. Can I use heat or cold therapy if I have a pacemaker?
If you have a pacemaker, you can carefully use hot or cold packs on your arms and legs, especially the lower body. However, you should completely avoid any electrical heating treatments on your body.
Q2. Can heat or cold therapy replace pain medication entirely?
Heat and cold therapy can help manage pain but typically do not replace pain medication entirely.
Q3. I do have a hot/cold water bath daily isn’t that enough for temperature healing?
Daily hot/cold water baths can aid in temperature healing, but they may not be sufficient alone for comprehensive pain management.
Q4. How long should I apply heat or cold therapy for best results?
While heat pack is to be applied for 15-20 mins. Cold packs are best to be applied for 6-8 mins only to help aid inflammation.
References
Alternating Hot and Cold Therapy – Do’s & Don’ts — Vive Health