This is a question we are asked on a weekly (sometimes daily) basis! When you are in pain, one of the first things we are told to do is to apply heat or ice to manage the pain, but which one should you use?
The answer is…it depends!
Both heat and ice can help with pain relief and decreasing muscle spasm, however there are some things you should consider before you grab your cold/hot pack!
ICE Tips:
HEAT Tips:
How long should I use ICE or HEAT?
As with most things, there are other things to remember when you are using ice and heat to help your body. If you have reduced or impaired sensation, Raynaud’s Disease, have regenerating nerves or areas of impaired circulation…talk with your physical therapist before using ice or heat.
If you are still unsure what will be BEST for your body, then call us to talk with our experts😊
What are your next steps?
Let’s get the pain under control, find the root cause of what’s happening with your body and keep it from coming back so that you can enjoy your life!
The team of physical therapists at Breakaway Physical Therapy are ready to help you get back to the activities you love! Call us today at 410-721-6333 so that we can help you on your road to recovery!