Cold therapy (cryotherapy) and warm compresses (thermotherapy) are common self-treatment options for many painful problems. There are many misconceptions, however, about which temperature should be applied to an injury and when. Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center is here to help explain the difference between cold vs. heat therapy so you don’t accidentally make your pain worse.
Cold therapy calms down damaged tissues that are inflamed and swollen. Therefore, ice should be used if an injury occurs around a joint or a tendon. This is because it reduces blood flow to a particular area, which can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain in acute conditions. Be careful to not ice muscle pain as this can increase inflammation. Heat therapy should be used for chronic muscle tension, pain, and stress. If hot or cold therapy doesn’t help the injury you’ve sustained, you’ll need to discuss treatment options with Dr. Carlomagno. Use ice in acute injuries 24-72 hours (20 minutes on and 40 minutes off) Heat should be used thereafter on the same on and off schedule
If you have questions about cold and heat therapy, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.
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