2/29/2024 0 Comments Warm compress for swelling![]() Always seek medical attention for persistent fever! Cautionary Points Dry the skin immediately with a separate towel.ĭo not immerse the ill individual into an ice bath because the extreme cold temperature will cause shivering and elevate the body temperature even further. Use a towel soaked in an ice bath, ring out the excess water and then dab the towel onto the skin. Cold Compress for FeverĪ cold compress may be used to reduce a fever temporarily in both children and adults but should not be used in infants or babies. Seek immediate medical attention if the pain is severe or associated with other symptoms such as numbness or weakness in the legs, a sudden difficulty with bladder control, or other neurologic symptoms. (7) The bottom line is to do whichever method improves the symptom! Neither heat nor ice has been proven very effective in relieving back pain. Cold triggers increase muscle tightness, whereas heat can help relax tense muscles. ![]() Therefore, heat therapy is typically recommended.Įven if the back pain is acute, using ice therapy on the lower back may increase the pain. Which Type of Therapy Is Best Suited for Back Pain?īack pain is most commonly due to muscle spasms, tightness, and stiffness. Pain related to injuries that are older than 48 hours or during the recovery phase of healing should benefit from alternating warm and cold compresses. (6) This technique stimulates the muscle, improves blood flow, and relieves tightness, thus exhibiting an analgesic effect. The cold constricts the blood vessels that carry the inflammation chemicals to their pain receptors.Ĭold temperature also numbs the injured area and prevents bruising, which is the blood that has leaked from tiny broken blood vessels (capillaries) near the skin’s surface.Ĭontrasting Therapy With Cold and Warm CompressesĪlternating hot and cold treatment is called contrasting therapy. Keeping in mind how muscle pain occurs, it becomes clear why cold treatment would be recommended immediately following an injury. (5) This activates the pain receptors (proprioceptors) near the muscle’s blood vessels, thus causing the pain sensation. The pain that follows a strenuous activity is triggered by the release of inflammation mediators from the damaged muscle. There are specific scenarios in which cold treatment (cryotherapy) is preferred over hot treatments and vice versa for relieving muscle pain. Continue treatment cycles until the symptoms improve.ĪLSO READ: Ice Therapy: When and How to Use It Correctly Warm and Cold Compresses for Muscle Pain.Reapply the cold treatment when the pain returns.Apply the cold treatment only until the area is numb.Keep the ice moving if applying to bare skin.Start cold therapy as soon as possible after an injury or in the 48 hours following the injury for the best results.When applying cold therapy, remember these rules: The cold pack may be left in place until the area is numb and then removed. If a deep cooling effect is desired, cover the skin with a towel, and then cover the pack to contain the cold. Thus, cold therapy produces a short-term anesthetic effect, which makes you feel less pain. This limits blood supply and nerve activity in a localized manner, rendering the area temporarily numb. (Don’t fall asleep on a heating pad!) Cold CompressĬryotherapy or cold treatment involves exposing the injured site to cold temperatures, which shrink the underlying blood vessels. The main precaution is related to prolonged use of heat and the risk of burning. Most literature advises a level of heat that is “tolerable” and applying heat therapy until relief is achieved. There is no standard temperature or duration for heat therapy. These methods allow the heat to penetrate the tissue deeper. Other methods in applying heat therapy are immersion into warm water, electrical heating pad, and heated body wraps. Cover them with a towel to contain the heat more effectively. Tip: Do not place gel hot packs directly onto the skin. For its convenience, though, gel hot packs are still a good option. Gel hot packs are convenient and can be activated when needed, but the temperature does not get very hot and does not last long.
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