When you’re dealing with an injury, there are many steps you can take to begin treating your discomfort. While over-the-counter pain medications are a good option for some individuals, they aren’t always the best solution for everyone. Ice packs and warm compresses are great options for those who prefer other therapies to address their discomfort.
However, these two therapies aren’t created equal, and you must understand when an ice pack or warm compress is best. In this blog, we’ll discuss how these therapies aid in injury recovery, which is best for you, and how best to pair them with chiropractic treatment to speed up recovery.
The Importance of Cold Therapies When Treating Injuries
Cold therapies like ice packs are a great way to reduce inflammation and irritation caused by an injury. In most cases, individuals will use ice packs to address inflammation immediately following an injury. Once ice is applied, the blood vessels are constricted, reducing blood flow to the area. As the blood vessels constrict, you’ll notice a reduced swelling that occurs after an injury, also known as edema. While ice packs are the most common cold therapy, some individuals may also take ice baths or use cooling sprays to remedy their injury.
When an Ice Pack is Best for Your Injury
Cold therapies like ice packs are most beneficial for treating new injuries that lead to immediate swelling. If you are dealing with the following injuries, an ice pack may be your best treatment:
- Sprained Wrists or Ankles: These sprains are often characterized by immediate swelling, making ice packs best for immediate comfort.
- Muscle or Joint Sprains: If you’re experiencing muscle and joint sprains from physical activity, ice packs can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Swollen Limbs: As mentioned above, ice packs are best for treating swelling. Ice is your best treatment if the swollen area is hot to the touch or red.
- Headaches: Although headaches aren’t external injuries, utilizing ice packs can reduce the discomfort you’re experiencing.
The Importance of Heat Therapies When Treating Injuries
Although heat therapies may not always be the most popular choice for treating an injury, they are great for aiding recovery. Heat therapies like warm compresses are essential for stimulating blood flow, which can boost nutrient presence near the injury site. Additionally, if you are tense due to your injury, heat therapies can help your muscles loosen up. Tension may otherwise limit blood flow to the area, increasing your recovery time. In addition to warm compresses, hot baths, showers, or warm towels are great, easy-to-use heat therapies.
When a Warm Compress is Best for Your Injury
Warm compresses are a great way to address any muscle tension you may be experiencing, especially after physical impacts like car accidents or sports injuries. If you’re dealing with the following injuries, you should consider using a warm compress:
- Muscle Spasms: If used when your muscles are actively spasming, a warm compress can help it relax.
- Whiplash: While ice packs are great for addressing whiplash in the immediate aftermath of an accident, heat is a great way to treat any remaining discomfort.
- Back Pain: Stiff muscles often cause this discomfort, which heat therapies like warm compresses can quickly remedy.
How to Use Cold and Heat Therapies Safely
While ice packs and warm compresses are great at reducing discomfort following an injury, they can also do more harm if you don’t use them appropriately. Neither of these therapies should be used for any longer than 20 minutes at a time. Additionally, you should provide a buffer between these therapies and your bare skin.
When using heat therapies, don’t use anything warmer than 113°F, as this may result in burns. When using cold therapies, immediately remove the pack if your skin becomes numb or increasingly pale. By using these therapies safely, you should be able to recover from your injury quickly.
Ice Packs, Warm Compresses, and Chiropractic Care
Cold and heat therapies are a great first step towards recovery. However, when used with chiropractic care, you may experience an even faster recovery time. When you schedule an appointment with a trusted chiropractic team, they will perform a comprehensive exam to determine the root cause of your injury and begin crafting a personalized treatment plan. With their spinal decompression therapies, advanced laser technologies, and adjustments, you can trust that you’re on the road to recovery.
Comprehensive Care for Every Injury at Elevate Wellness Chiropractic
The first step to recovering from an injury is finding a reliable chiropractic team. At Elevate Wellness Chiropractic, our team has provided comprehensive care to patients across the Wasatch Front for years. Whether you’ve recently been in a car accident, experienced a workplace injury, or want to prevent injuries before they occur, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team to help with your at-home treatments, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
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