Heat Packs vs Cold Packs

When to self-apply heat packs vs cold packs.

Many people discover happiness through physical activity. For these individuals, an active lifestyle touches every aspect of what it means to be human, from relationships to leisure to work.

Consequently, injury can feel devastating. Even simple injuries, like sprains and strains, induce bouts of boredom and even depression. Appropriate use of thermal modalities (ice or heat) is a simple and effective first treatment choice. But which to choose?

When to Use Cold Packs

Applying cold immediately after an injury is nearly always the first step toward pain reduction and healing. Cold is often coupled with rest, compression, and elevation, the oft-quoted R.I.C.E. approach. Used properly, application of cold can drastically reduce swelling, inflammation, healing times and tissue damage. As a bonus, cold packs are cheap, easy to store, and simple to transport.

When to Use Heat Packs

We should rarely use a heat pack immediately after an injury occurs. Waiting 48 to 72 hours after an injury to apply heat is a good general rule. Heat causes blood vessels to open, filling the damaged area with blood, which encourages swelling to increase. If pain from swelling is too great, movement and activity are affected, and adding heat too early can make things worse.

The best outcome from heat packs is to relieve stiffness and pain from immobility. Muscular abnormalities, such as cramping and spasms, respond favorably to heat.

When used properly, heat and cold packs are excellent tools to restore quality to lives turned upside down by unexpected injury. Use these simple guidelines to speed up your relief and recovery, and call to schedule an appointment for more detailed help.