Are you confused about when to use Heat and when to use Cold? Why don’t you choose both?



                                 

Knowing when to use hot therapy vs. cold therapy is very important to healing because they have opposite reactions in the body.  Using the wrong one can inflame and aggravate an injury.

COLD VS. HEAT

The use of cold vs. heat is an important subject because they have opposite reactions in the body.  Using the wrong one will aggravate an injury, while using the correct one can greatly aid in your treatment.  You will even get conflicting advice from doctors.  Who do you believe? 

When you are finished with this reading you will have confidence that you are using the correct treatment.

Heat treatment and ice treatment have opposite reactions.  Heat is relaxing to muscles, but it will increase swelling and inflammation (such as the inflammation associated with tendonitis.)  Ice shrinks the swelling and inflammation, but it will further tighten up a muscle spasm.  Making things worse is that many areas of the body the muscles overlap with the tendons.  So which one should you use?

The answer is different for different conditions and different area of the body.

COLD AND HOT THERAPY

How Can Cold & Hot Therapy Benefit Me In My Daily Life Or Healing Journey?

If you're seeking cold and hot therapy comfort, you'll enjoy your stay in the Cold & Hot Therapy World of Make Me Heal. In here you will find a wide variety of reusable, safe cold and hot compresses (cold/hot packs). Many of the compresses have the ability to be used for both cold and hot therapy. Additionally, some of the cold and hot packs are specially designed for specific areas of the body, such as the face, eyes, breast, and abdomen. Depending on your needs, you can cruise through the Cold Therapy area for cold packs or the Hot Therapy for hot/warm packs.

Cold Therapy
Reduce Post-Op Swelling & Bruising, Soothe Traumatized Skin

Cold therapy is needed to help reduce post-operative swelling and bruising. In everyday life, cold therapy helps reduce swelling and bruising resulting from any type of injury. Many of the specialized products that are featured in the Store function as both cold and hot compresses at the same time and can thus be used to provide both cold and hot therapy to swollen and bruised areas. Cold therapy has been shown to be greatly effective in reducing swelling by slowing the flow of blood and other fluids to the injured area. A cold pack is also beneficial in relieving the sensations of pain and restoring strength and mobility more quickly so that patients can heal faster and feel better sooner. A specialized cold compress is more comfortable and easier to use than an ice pack, frozen peas, or other cold pack solution because the compress molds better the contours of the face and neck, does not leak and does not put any pressure on the skin because it is lighter than crushed ice. Cold compresses are quickly chilled in the freezer (10-15 minutes depending on the product) or in the refrigerator. These cold compress products can be used to reduce swelling and bruising resulting from any type of injury. Additionally, these compresses are highly effective for puffy eyes treatment, alleviation of tired eyes and headaches, relief from clogged sinuses due to colds and allergies, and first aid for burns and trauma.

Hot Therapy
Reduce Post-Op Swelling, Help Disintegrate Bruises

Hot therapy delivered through a warm/hot compress or mask helps break down and disintegrate bruising discolorations and provides moisture or dry heat to areas of discomfort. Hot therapy can also be soothing on sore facial tissues that have been tightened. You may use hot therapy on your bruises from days around days 2-3 post-op (upon your doctor's approval) provided your swelling is not too considerable. A compress is typically heated by boiling water, hot tap water or by heating in a microwave. These hot compress products can be used to reduce swelling and bruising resulting from any type of injury. Additionally, these compresses are highly effective for puffy eyes treatment, alleviation of tired eyes and headaches, relief from clogged sinuses due to colds and allergies, and first aid for burns and trauma.

http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product/therapy/index.vm?procid=40

Hot Pack Treatment

Applying a hot pack, or hot towel compress, is the best way to get your remedies absorbed by the body. If you want to heal faster, follow your massage application with a warm compress like so:

Say your knee is sore from arthritis or there's pain from a twist during your basketball game -

Apply your chosen oils (maybe wintergreen for inflammation and lavender for bruising). Then triple fold a hand towel lengthwise, get it as hot as you can under the running faucet and wring out. Wrap the damp, hot towel around the knee and immediately cover with a dry hand towel (double folded lengthwise), tucking in the edges to hold the whole thing in place. Let sit for 10 to 20 minutes until the towel gets cold.

Heat therapy will work just about anywhere on the body. Remember, essential oils are repelled by water and with the warmth of the towel opening up pores and improving the circulation, your remedy gets to where it's needed FAST.

Some oils like oregano, cinnamon, peppermint and wintergreen can intensify under the towel. Feeling uncomfortable? Just remove the compress and massage a little vegetable oil over the area before reapplying to dilute the essential oils.

Where there is severe inflammation cold therapy will work just as well. Do the same with a very cold damp towel. Brrrr, much better in the Summer time.

http://www.essential-natural-remedies.com/hot-pack.html

http://www.redlandschiropractor.com/ask_dr_bruce/6_cold_vs_heat_treatment.htm

Are you still confuse now???

Think about it now….

By hafizah aziz.