Ever wondered if we should
use ice for arthritis pain or use a heat pack instead? Using hot or cold
compresses is the best solution for treating chronic arthritis and pain
management problem. The correct combination of both ice and heat can even help
reduce arthritis pain. Heat and cold therapy have their distinct uses. One is
not interchangeable with the other. You must be able to identify when to use heat
and when to use ice for pain. These two aren’t similar at all.
Knowing when to apply heat and ice to injuries can be tricky—but what about using both together? There are different directions or ways to apply temperature treatment, and patients often get confused about when to apply heat and cold for arthritis.
How does heat therapy work?
Heat treatments for arthritis, such as heating pads or warm baths,
tend to work best for soothing stiff joints and tired muscles. Heat enhances
circulation, delivering nutrients to joints and muscles. It is suitable for
getting our body to be flexible for any activity.
Examples of Heat treatments are:
● Paraffin baths. It is available at many drugstores or beauty-supply stores, for sore hand or foot joints.
● Hot-water bottles. A simple, comfortable temperature treatment for arthritis-related joint pain is to apply a hot-water bottle to the aching joint.
● Store-bought patches, belts, packs, and wraps. Many people prefer disposable drugstore options, like self-adhesive patches. These are more expensive, and convenient but not reusable. The design varies for different purposes. Some are for the knees, neck, hand, or other joints, some of which are for cold therapy.
How do cold treatments work?
Cold therapy is the best treatment for arthritis. The ice helps to
manage acute pain since it restricts blood vessels the same way that ice cubes
can numb your fingers. The cold slows circulation and eventually reduces
swelling reduce and inflammation. Ice should be applied early and often for the
first 48 hours.
The following forms of cold therapy provide the best pain relief.
1. Reusable cold pack
Many types of reusable cold packs (such as those filled with gel. It is needed to keep it in the freezer and take it out when ready for use when needed, and re-frozen after each use. These cold packs are available at drugstores and general merchandise stores.
2. Homemade cold packs
People with arthritis pain can make cold packs with items they already have at home:
- Plastic baggie and ice. Wrapped the bag in a towel before applying it to the painful area to protect the skin from ice burn. Apply it to sensitive areas for no more than 20 minutes at a time.
- A cold towel. A cloth with cold water or place it in a plastic bag put it in the freezer for ten to twenty minutes, and place it on the aching joint
- Sponge. Wet a sponge, place it in a plastic bag, and put it in the freezer. After it is frozen applied the sponge to the swelling joint.
- A cloth can be wrapped around the bag to protect the skin if needed.
- Rice. Create a reusable cold pack by filling a sock with rice and placing it in the freezer. Rice will get as cold as ice, and the right thing is it does not melt. Rice can also be used for hot therapy. Put rice in a sock and place it in a microwave. Heat for 10 seconds or until warm. Place it with caution at the affected joint as microwave heating can cause uneven temperatures, and sometimes it can also lead to burns on the area of contact.\
- Gel-type pack. Try a store-bought gel cold pack; it will not leak. These are full of gel that stays cold when placed in the freezer. It is also reusable, which is appealing for cost
- Frozen bag of peas. For a quick cold therapy grab any frozen vegetable or a bag of frozen peas and apply it to the sore area.
3. Instant ice packs (disposable ice packs) They stay cold for an extended period while being used at room
temperature.
What are the precautions when using heat and ice?
Ice causes a longer-lasting effect on circulation than heat.
Also, the painkilling properties of ice are more profound and longer-lasting
than those of warm compress. There are situations where heat and cold therapy should
not be applied.
Do not use the ice pack to the following conditions:
- on the left shoulder if one has a heart condition.
- Around the side or front of the neck.
- Over areas of skin with poor condition, sensation, and poor circulation.
- Have diabetes.
- In the presence of infection.
Temperature-inspired therapy for arthritis work by soothing the stiff joints and tired muscles that gradually result in pain reduction. Generally speaking, ice works well after a sudden injury while heat helps to soothe ongoing muscle aches and pains.
In some cases, Individuals experiments with the application of both heat and cold therapies to determine which one works best. The good thing is, that heat and cold treatments prove to be the easiest, medication-free, inexpensive, and most effective methods of relieving joint pain and stiffness.
It is essential to be careful in using temperature therapy to manage arthritis pain, or else you might end up with damaged skin. Always remember that for persistent swelling and no reduction in pain within 24 hours, visit the doctor. It might not be simple arthritis but could be a severe injury, fracture, or dislocation in the joints.
