Another blog post from Ann Arbor Chiropractor Mike Tannenbaum, D.C.: Cold or Heat, That Is The Question

At my Ann Arbor Chiropractic office I often get the question “Should I use cold or heat?”.There is much confusion when it comes to when is it appropriate use cold therapy versus using heat therapy.  Well, this is what I tell my chiropractic patients at my Ann Arbor office to try to clarify this issue.

Cold therapy is for acute injuries (plus for flare-ups) and inflammation as cold therapy restrict blood flow which reduces inflammation and pain. Cold therapy should be applied to the affected area as soon as possible to the onset of the condition and generally no later then72 hours of onset. Types of injuries or related discomfort that cold therapy is used for are such things as sprains, strains, swelling and joint pain. If the skin is broken make sure the area of the broken skin has been cleaned and dressed before beginning the therapy so as not to cause an infection.

Heat therapy is for relaxing the affected area resulting in opening blood vessels, increasing blood flow and thus the promotion of healing. Heat should be used after the first 72 hours and long term, if necessary to promote healing. Heat should not be applied to areas that are swollen. In general, heat can be used for example, to reduce stiffness, reduce chronic non-inflammatory pain such as arthritis, back and neck pain and to relax tight muscles.

The information presented above is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice

If you have any questions about this blog post, neck pain, back pain or headaches  I can be reached a my Ann Arbor chiropractic office at [email protected].