2007-05-09 07:09:41 · 11 answers · asked by THE Cupid HATER 7 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
it depends on what you are using it for because certain things , it helps to rotate the hot and cold packs.
2007-05-09 07:17:33 · answer #1 · answered by angel 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cold pack primarily to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain.
Heat pack to increase circulation.
New injuries can be broadened and inflamed by heat.
Once an injury is stable, heat can be used to speed recovery. Heat use in many cases is put off until the 3rd or 4th day, or longer, after the injury, depending on severity.
Care must be used with heat, as too much heat can damage deep tissue without causing burns.
2007-05-09 07:18:28 · answer #2 · answered by Laurence W 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the condition and your treatment goal.
Ice is best for new sprains and strains. (New being within 100 hours) Cold cause numbness to reduce pain. Cold decreases metabolism and allows the body to slow down the inflamatory process and start the healing process. Swelling is a by-product of the inflamatory process. Cold also helps break the pain-spasm cycle, thus a return of normal motion.
Heat increases immediate blood flow. Thus heat is often preferred for treating muscular stiffness. 4 days after a sprain, heat helps to increase motion with less risk of increasing swelling. Heat too soon on a sprain will increase the inflamatory process. Heat is also used to help blood flow to fight infections.
Now think of this. If you use an ice bag for 20 minutes, your skin is red. Use a heat pack for 20 minutes and your skin is red. Both cause an increase in blood flow, only with ice it does not cause an increase in swelling. (In frost bite the skin is gray) Ice causes a circulation increase as deep muscle tissue tries to warm itself.
Research has shown that following a 20-30 minute treatment your body responds to ice for the next 2 hours, whereas you lose the effect of heat in about 30 minutes. Thus 20 minutes of ice gives you a 2 hour treatment.
In other words for a new sprain or strain, ice is usually more effective. For a stiff neck or back, heat may give more relief. The benefits of ice last longer.
2007-05-17 07:00:11 · answer #3 · answered by Ed Teach 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Immediately apply an ice pack to take the swelling down. Heat for the pain. If it's a constant pain in your back, low heat.
2016-03-19 02:14:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat inflames areas, so don't use this on a sprang or torn muscle, as the additional inflammation will cause more pain. Cold packs will help prevent swelling. Heat is better for relaxing tight muscles, not torn muscles.
2007-05-09 07:14:09 · answer #5 · answered by Shannon L - Gavin's Mommy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cold pack . Heat expands ,and pain get worse.
2007-05-09 07:23:43 · answer #6 · answered by thalassa 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that using both the heat pack and the cold pack will be the best option.
2007-05-09 07:18:06 · answer #7 · answered by washmykar 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
depends on site i.e., knee,foot, and ankle injuries---ice bucket, icy water for 20 minutes of cold pressure, 20 minutes of break time. for the first 24 hours to minimize swelling
Heat increases blood flow to the area, i.e., pain in joints, sore muscles, use as long as you are comfortable, no time frame.................
2007-05-14 16:30:27 · answer #8 · answered by txdarhmalily 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
heat works better for me
2007-05-15 08:12:23 · answer #9 · answered by bambi 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
use ice for twenty minutes every hour in the first 24 hours, then use heat for comfort.
2007-05-09 07:14:59 · answer #10 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋