Hot and Cold Therapy
How does hot and cold therapy work?
Hot and cold therapy is advised when a new injury is causing inflammation and possibly swelling. How it works is cold compress helps to decrease the blood flow to the injury, thereby decreasing inflammation and swelling. Then using heat it encourags the blood back to the area and promote healing. We suggest this therapy for patients who are too acute to start treatment. This therapy helps to calm the acute area before treatment.
What you will need:
- COLD – Cold pack, or a packet of peas from the freezer, (cover with a tea towel to prevent an ice burn on the skin). Alternatively we suggest ice cubes in a bowl of cold water and face flannel.
- HOT – Hot water bottle or hot pack heated in the microwave. Also cover with a tea towel or thin cloth. Alternatively we suggest hot water from kettle in a bowl and face flannel. Water must be hot enough to touch without burning the skin.
Directions:
- Apply the COLD to the area you are experiencing pain/swelling for 30 seconds to 1 minutes.
- Remove and apply the HOT for 30 seconds to 1 minutes in the same area.
- Repeat this process FOR 5 MINUES always finishing with HOT.
- Perform these steps as little and as often for maximum effect.
For maximum affect for acute patients we suggest trying these 4 steps ever 30mins to 1hr. Don’t forget always start with COLD and finish on Hot.
For more information please call you local clinic.
