The Right Temperature for Pain Relief
February 22, 2010 by Back & Neck Pain Resources
Filed under Heat Treatments, Pain Relief Treatments
When people feel pain in any part of their bodies, the two most common pieces of advice are to either put heat or ice packs on the area.
However, depending on the type of pain, heat or cold can actually cause the pain to worsen. How can you tell which temperature will offer the most relief? Here are some tips!
When to use heat packs as treatment:
Heat therapy is great for chronic injuries as well as if you suddenly experience back pain without any inflammation or swelling. Heat is great for sore, stiff muscles and joints as well.
Using heat packs, like the Far Infrared Healing Heat Pad helps by increasing the elasticity of joints and stimulating blood flow. Doing this makes the muscles more relaxed and increases the blood circulation.
As mentioned above, the thing to remember about using the right temperature for back pain relief depends on the kind of pain that you are experiencing.
If it’s swelling and inflammation then ice packs would be the best choice. If it is more of a chronic case that is not accompanied by the swollen parts, then you should probably try heat packs.
Always remember though that ice packs or heat packs are just first aid solutions. If the injury does not improve, or gets worse after a few days, then you should see a doctor.
When to use Cold packs or Ice:
Ice works very well for muscle strains, sprains, or pain due to external physical damage (such as hits or bumps). This is because ice reduces swelling on the affected area.
It also provides minor pain relief by numbing the local tissues, as well as slowing down the neurological impulses that trigger that pain response.
Also know that treatment using cold packs is quite effective if applied within 48 hours after the pain is felt. This is because it is in this time period when the muscles are still very swollen and tight.
A quick note though- you should never apply ice directly on the skin. Doing this for a long time can cause frostbite damage. Always have something to put between the ice and your skin.
Related posts:
