COLD PACK VS HOT WATER FOMENTATION

You can treat pain with hot and cold as it is extremely effective for several conditions and injuries. It is affordable too.  The trickiest thing is that you should know when to use hot and which situation calls for cold.

COLD PACK

·        A general rule of thumb is to ice an injury over a period of 24 to 72 hours. 

·        Apply cold pack for 20 minutes after every 2 to 4 hours.

WHEN YOU CAN USE COD PACK?

·        Ankle sprain

·        pulled muscle

·        bruises

·        insect bites

·        repetitive strain injuries

·        muscle spasm

HOW IT WORKS?

·        It is very effective at reducing swelling.

·        It reduces bleeding.

·        Eases pain by numbing the affected area.

HOW TO APPLY AT HOME?

For home treatment, you can use crushed ice or ice cubes in a towel. NEVER apply ice directly on your skin, as it can damage your skin and tissues. DON’T use more than 20 minutes.

HOT WATER FERMENTATION

Heat therapy improves circulation to the affected area due to increase in temperature. It ultimately helps to relax muscles and heal damage tissue.

WHEN TO USE?

It is effective in reducing pain from chronic injuries such as, sprains, strains, muscle spasms and arthritis. NEVER use hot water fermentation for the first 48 hours after an injury.

HOW TO USE?

 You can use electric heating pad or hot water bottle and place it over the affected area. Don’t have hot packs at home?  Take a small towel and soaked in hot or cold water. Wring it out. Fold it. Apply it to the affected area for 10 – 15 min.

WHEN NOT TO USE HOT PACK?

Avoid if

·        Your skin is red and hot

·        Over the open wound

·        You are insensitive to heat due to some neurological conditions.

·        Over the burn and infection.

NOTE:

·        If either treatment makes your pain worse, STOP immediately.

·         Whether you use hot or cold pack, be sure to wrap in a towel to help protect your skin.

Need more information? Talk to an experienced physiotherapists at antarnaad. Antarnaad is a growing network of experienced physiotherapists; provide treatment for all conditions using various methods such as, dry needling, tapping, manipulation, mobilization and modalities. At antarnaad, we offer tele consultation to make you understand about your condition and prepare treatment protocol according to the severity of that condition.