Is it heat before ice or ice before heat?

Question

I've got a bum ankle.

Answer 1

Ice first then warm.
Whats happens when you Sprain your ankle is white blood cells (these fight infections) rush to the spot that was hurt. You get such an inflow of these cells and that's why you get a swollen ankle. The ice contracts the blood vessels around the area and slows the flow; therefore, helping the swollen staying down. Then in about 24 hours you should, you apply a hot pack or heat. This will dilate your vessels and allow the white blood cells to carry all the waste away, such as the dried up blood etc. When you sprain something, you actually have small bleeding inside. You don't have to have the cold on for 24 hours, just long enough where the swollen has stopped and pain has gone down.

Answer 2

Its ice before heat for the first 24 hours.

Remember RICE, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.

Put ice on the ankle, get off it, elevate it and put an ace bandage on it. After 24 hours, gentle heat to help it heal.

Answer 3

After you have sought Medical Advice, and probably had an x-ray taken of your ankle, Ice first, for about 10 min's every hour or so for the first 24 hours, then heat. Also an Ace wrap will help.

Answer 4

You need to put ice on your ankle for the first 24 hours to keep down the swelling and bruising. put ice on for every half hour for 15 minutes. Then use heat the same as the ice.

Answer 5

Ice first for swelling

Ice or Heat?

Ice Heat
When To Use Use ice after an acute injury, such as an ankle sprain, or after activities that irritate a chronic injury, such as shin splints. Use heat before activities that irritate chronic injuries such as muscle strains. Heat can help loosen tissues and relax injured areas.

How To Do It Read through the information on How to Ice an Injury. Find several ways to ice an injury. Heating pads or hot wet towels are both excellent methods. Place a washcloth under hot tap water and then apply to the injured area.

For How Long Apply ice treatments for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. Too much ice can do harm, even cause frostbite; it is not "better" to ice excessively. It is not necessary to apply a heat treatment for more than about 20 minutes at a time. Never apply heat while sleeping.

Should you ice or heat an injury?

Ice packs and heat pads are among the most commonly used treatments in orthopedics. So which one is the right one to use, ice or heat? And how long should the ice or heat treatments last? Read on for information about treatment of injuries with ice packs and heating pads...

Ice Treatment

Ice treatment is most commonly used for acute injuries. If you have a recent injury (within the last 48 hours), where swelling is a problem, you should be using ice treatment. Ice packs can help minimize swelling around the injury.

Ice packs are commonly used after injuries such as an ankle sprain. Applying an ice pack early and often for the first 48 hours will help minimize swelling.

Decreasing swelling around an injury will help to control the pain.
Ice treatments may also be used for chronic conditions, such as overuse injuries in athletes. In this case, ice the injured area after activity. Never ice a chronic injury before activity. However, icing after activity will help control the inflammatory response.

Heat Treatment

Heat treatments should be used for chronic conditions to help relax and loosen tissues, and to stimulate blood flow to the area. Use heat treatments on chronic conditions, such as overuse injuries, before participating in activities.

Do not use heat treatments after activity, and do not use heat after an acute injury (see above). Heating tissues can be accomplished using a heating pad, or even a hot, wet towel. When using heat treatments, be very careful to use a moderate heat for a limited time (be careful of burns). Never leave heating pads or towels on for extended periods or while sleeping.

Answer 6

Definitely observe warmness and hot up earlier than going for walks. Use stretching physical activities. Ice after your run. However, if you're agony with shin splints on a constant groundwork you will have to recall making use of orthotics or having your going for walks method tested. Many individuals who undergo with power shin splints uncover that shortening their stride is helping as their main foot makes a higher 'rolling' touch with the bottom alternatively of the heel putting the bottom difficult and the entrance of the foot instantly slapping down as occurs whilst stretching with an extended stride.

Answer 7

Remember the word "RICE".
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

Answer 8

I personally stay away from ice all together....A nice soak in a hot tub is nice.....
Sorry to hear of your ankle hope you get it feeling better real soon!

Answer 9

I am a 62 yr old woman and have always been told spring for sprain steam for strain,I learned this at the red cross 40 yrsl ago hope it helps.

Answer 10

ice