Hot and
cold treatment is the best home remedy for muscles and joint pain
also known as arthritis pain. It is a non-addictive and non-invasive,
pain-relief therapy. In fact, some time these two treatments are
also used to treat acne.
Suppose,
there is a new injury that may cause redness and swelling, therefore
ice pack that is a cold pack or cold compressor can be used to
decrease the blood flow of the injured area, thus decreasing the
soreness and swelling. On the other hand, if it’s an old pain that
returned back then it is advisable to use heating pads or hot
compressor to bring the blood to the injured area to heal your pain.
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| Knee Pain |
The hot
treatment is used when you need to open the blood vessels that
provide nutrients and oxygen by increasing the blood-flow, thus
reducing
the joint pain and tenders the sore tendons, muscles and
ligaments. The heat increases the muscle movements and reduces the
muscle contradictions. It also enhances the flexibility of ligaments
and tendons and reduce muscle pain.
On the
other hand, by using the cold treatment the blood-flow of an injured
area can be decreased, thus lessening the swelling
and pain of muscles. It slows the circulation, decreases the
muscle pain and contradiction, therefore it needs to be used in
injured and swelling area.
You can
either use moist or dry heat to your pain area. You can use hot water
bottle, hot water bath, heating pad or gel packs. Whole using these
methods make sure that the temperature is consistent warm but not
too much. In fact, it is advisable to ask the physician exact source
and temperature efficient for your pain or injury.
When it
comes to cold treatment then you can apply cold packs. There are also
ice-packs, cold gel and cold compressor that can be used in bruised
area to numb the injured area to reduce the swelling.
Heat
treatment is best when you suffer from prolonged joint and muscle
pain. It is used for old injuries that recur after some time, whereas
cold treatment is used within one to two days of the injury. It is
apt for bumps,sprains, bruises and strains that may occur while
lifting or playing sports. Apply ice bags in the injured area for not
more than 20 minutes and then remove and re-apply it
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| Hot Water Bag |
Few
measures you need to take while applying heat pads and cold packs are
as follows-
- Wrap the hot device in thin cloth or towel before applying it to your skin. Same is the case with a cold pack. Wrap the cold device in thin towel first, then apply.
- Both hot and cold packs should be applied not for more than 20 minutes until your doctor suggests.
- When there is swelling then use cold pack first, then heating pad.
- Heating pads should never be used in open stitches and wounds.
- When you are asleep don’t use heating pads else you might burn your skin.
