Using cold and hot therapy for treating pain and discomfort can be confusing. While both are proven safe and effective, knowing when to use these methods is crucial. In this blog post, we will help you understand how to use hot and cold compresses. Read on.
Using heat therapy can improve circulation and blood flow to specific areas. Applying a hot compress to the afflicted area may help:
Dry heat and moist heat are the most common types of heat therapy. Both methods aim for “warm” as the ideal temperature, instead of “hot” (maximum temperature is 42 degrees celsius).
Heat therapy is not advisable for people with sensory disorders like diabetes as it could lead to nerve damage. Other pre-existing conditions that should not be treated with heat therapy include:
Cold therapy or cryotherapy works by reducing blood flow to specific areas. Which can effectively reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain or discomfort. Cold therapy can also help:
There are different ways to apply cold therapy. Treatment options include:
Like heat therapy, cold therapy is not advisable for people with sensory disorders. You should not also apply this method on stiff muscles or joints.
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