Ice Cold and Hot Compression Therapy for Pain and Other Ailments
Heat and cold compression therapy is pondered as non-invasive for the treatment of various health-related issues such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. Though there are a number of ways to relieve the symptoms of these conditions using this method, an ice therapy machine for knee surgery is one of the most popular ones.
These therapies can also be used in an alternative way and are often recommended before the preclusion of exercise therapy.
How does it work?
Heat therapy causes vasodilation that leads to increased blood flow to the intended muscles. Oxygen and nutrient-rich blood when reach to the target tissues, reduces pain, muscle spasm, and relaxes the tense muscles. It also removes waste from the cell and overall nourishes the tissues to increase a range of motion.
On the other hand, cold therapy or cryotherapy causes vasoconstriction that slows down the circulation of blood to the affected area. That, in turn, reduces inflammation, swelling, pain, and muscle tension. For example, ice face wraps are considered amazing to smooth the skin and eliminate inflammation.
The therapy also works best for short-term pains such as sprains or strains.
Following are the general health problems that can be dealt easily with hot and cold compression therapy:
- Muscle spasm or aches
- Back pain
- Tender or swollen joints
- Stiff neck
- Finger and hand pain
- Knee pain
How to Apply?
- Cold Therapy
Ice cubes, commercial cold packs, coolant sprays, ice face wraps, ice towels, and ice baths are commonly used in this form of therapy. It can be done several times a day but for a
short time period, less than 15 minutes.
- Heat Therapy
Heating pads, hot packs, hot water bottles, steamed towels, and hot baths work incredibly in this type of therapy. It also offers immense benefits when used for a longer duration, unlike cold therapy. For minor stiffness, 15-20 minutes of therapy is sufficient. But hot therapy for pain relief requires 30 minutes that could last for 2 hours.
Benefits of Cold and Hot Compression Therapy
Heat and cold therapies can be done even at home without the need of any special item. Small injuries and muscle stiffness are minor issues that could happen to anyone. These non-addictive therapies are better for health compared to painkillers. Many doctors recommend hot and cold therapies to ease the stiffness and reduce inflammation. But if the therapies don’t work, it’s good to consult to a doctor.
- Muscle tension
Heat therapy is used in routine for sports-related tissue injuries and muscle sprains. Applying heat to the affected site increases the blood flow and makes muscles more flexible. Not just the injuries but this therapy also works wonders before any physical activity. It dilates the vessels and promotes more blood to flow which mitigates the chances of getting sprains and muscle spasms.
People having a health condition that involves inflammation usually choose cold therapy. It leads to reduce inflammation, swelling, pain to the affected tissues and causes overall quick healing. Ice therapy machine for knee surgery is often recommended to speed up the recovery and make the muscles relaxed for increased mobility.
- Joint Pain
Whether its acute or chronic joint pain, ice, and hot therapies are proven useful for the problems like arthritis. But make sure, not to burn the skin. Always keep a towel on the skin before placing hot or cold packs on it.
Heat and cold compression therapy use the body’s own mechanisms that act in a way to improve healing and reduce inflammation. For arthritis and another type of joint pains, both heat and ice therapies are great. Therefore, it’s a choice to pick any of these that is more comfortable and effective for the patient.
- Facial Problems
The popularity of ice therapy for the face is quite simple. This inexpensive, non-chemical-based, and easy-to-do therapy has substantial benefits for healthier skin. From eliminating the puffiness around the eyes, reducing oil, controlling acne to reduce wrinkles, and boosting the skin glow, cryotherapy is overall a great substitute to keep the skin healthy.
A gentle massage on the face with three to four ice cubes in a soft cloth is recommended to be done in a circular motion. Ice face wrap provides an additional benefit by keeping an extra little pressure on the face. The wrap is a cold gel pack that covers all the essential parts of the face including the jawline, chin, and cheeks.
Precautions
If the skin feels a little pink after heat or ice compression therapy, it’s completely normal. But there might be the case when too hot or too cold temperature causes skin damage. So do not cover the face with ice wrap longer than recommended. Look for the below-mentioned symptoms:
- Blisters
- Swelling
- Hives
- Dark-red, purplish-red, or spotty red-colored skin
Call your doctor when notice any of these symptoms after removing the compress.