Palm Beach Health Center

No one enjoys living in pain! If you’ve had an injury where you were unsure if heat or ice would be more beneficial, our West Palm Beach chiropractor is here to help! You will learn when you should apply ice or heat for a certain injury and the best time to do so.

Ice and Heat for Injuries

Cold and heat therapy are common things people use to help manage pain. These both have their excellent benefits, but it’s important to use the right one at the right time. Your pain might not improve, or it could even get worse if you use the wrong kind of therapy for a certain injury.  Generally, heat is best for chronic injuries such as jumper’s knee; ice is best for acute injuries such as a strained back.

When to Use Ice

Ice reduces blood flow to a particular area, which helps to reduce inflammation that causes pain. The coldness can also temporarily reduce nerve activity and relieve pain. Putting ice on a chronic injury doesn’t have the worst benefits, but it also won’t give you the greatest results. You’ll want to use ice therapy to reduce any swelling, especially around a joint or tendon. Common injuries where ice can help relieve your pain include:

• Sprains
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Muscle tears

When to Use Heat

Heat works by improving blood flow and circulation to an injured area. The increased temperature soothes muscle discomfort, increases muscle flexibility, and heals damaged tissue. You should not put heat on an acute injury too soon, as this can increase inflammation in the area and cause pain and suffering. The best time to use heat is when you want to relax your muscles. Some injuries where heat therapy can help with pain are:

• Shin splints
• Tennis elbow
• Achilles tendinitis
• Swimmer’s shoulder

Where Can I Find a West Palm Beach Chiropractor?

Ice and heat therapy are great for managing your pain and discomfort short-term. If you’re looking for a way to reach your proper health, visit Dr. Matthew Symons at Palm Beach Health Center. His chiropractic care will help you live your life the way you’re supposed to!