When are injuries treated with heat and when are they treated with cold?

Heat and cold – two opposites that are used in the treatment of trauma. When used correctly, this treatment can help relieve pain, speed up tissue healing, increase flexibility, and reduce swelling. And the wrong choice in favor of heat or cold for the treatment of injuries is fraught with longer recovery times and even serious tissue damage. When are injuries treated with heat, and when with cold? In this matter, estet-portal.com will help you figure it out.

In what cases is cold treatment used for injuries?

Bleeding occurs when tissues are sprained, dislocated, or bruised. It can lead to swelling and pain in the affected area and delayed healing. Cold therapy is used immediately after soft tissue injury and during further recovery.

How cold treatment works: When a coolant is applied to the skin, the blood vessels constrict, blood flow slows down, resulting in reduced swelling and inflammation. Skin temperature also drops. Cold provides an analgesic effect or causes numbness of the treated area of the body, which is important in relieving pain. Cold is usually applied within the first 24 to 48 hours after the acute stage of injury to avoid tissue damage, or after 48 hours if inflammation persists. Cold therapy can also be used after exercise to prevent or reduce pain or swelling and relieve muscle spasms.

The goal of treating injuries with cold is:

reduce bleeding in tissues;
prevent or reduce swelling (inflammation);
reduce muscle pain and spasms;
relieve pain by causing numbness and limiting the effects of swelling.

Result – decrease in the amount of fluid accumulated at the site of the lesion.

The goal of cold treatment during the recovery phase is to restore normal function. At this stage, exposure to cold may help other treatments, such as exercise, to help relieve pain and muscle spasms. As a result, a person can move more freely. If the exercises – an integral part of your rehabilitation, it will be useful to apply an ice compress before performing them in order to achieve a slight numbness of the affected area. You can also exercise with an ice compress tied to relieve pain on movement.

Ice compresses – rules for applying

To prepare an ice pack, you will need ice cubes and a plastic bag or wet towel.

Ideally, you need to rub a small amount of oil (even sunflower oil) into the area of the body to which you will apply the ice compress. If the injured area has skin or stitches, it must be covered with a plastic bag to keep moisture out of the wound.
Place a wet towel over the oiled area (if you are using a plastic bag, a towel is not necessary).
Place an ice pack on the cloth or bag.
After 5 minutes, check the color of the skin. If it's bright pink or red, remove the ice pack. If there is no – leave it for another 5 – 10 minutes.
Apply ice to the injured area for 20 – 30 minutes, no more. Otherwise, you risk damaging your skin.

Ideally, cold treatment is applied within 5-10 minutes of injury. After 20-30 minutes, the ice pack should be removed and the procedure repeated every 2-3 hours for 24-48 hours (when you are awake).

Bleeding should stop within 48 hours of injury, after which treatment is directed towards tissue remobilization through exercise and stretching. Ice helps relieve pain and relax muscle tissue.

When is it appropriate to use heat treatment for injuries?

Heat treatment can begin 48 hours after injury. Heat can be applied in the form of heating pads, water bottles, compresses, creams, lamps. Under the influence of heat, blood vessels dilate, which promotes blood flow to the affected area and stimulates the healing of damaged tissues. The heat has a calming effect and helps relieve pain and spasms. The heat also softens the fabrics.

Heat therapy is used in the chronic stages of injury. Also, heat therapy is often used before physical therapy or exercise to reduce muscle tension, increase flexibility and range of motion. Heat also helps to relieve pain and reduce muscle spasms, muscle tension and joint stiffness.

Heat treatment is not used in the acute stage of injury, when the affected area of the body is swollen and the skin temperature is elevated. This will only worsen your condition.

Warm compresses should be applied for 15-20 minutes and the skin checked every 5 minutes. If there is a change in skin color or discomfort, the warm compress should be removed. Also, do not lie down on a hot compress and do not leave it overnight, as prolonged contact with a heat source can cause burns.

Before you apply a hot compress, make sure it is not too hot. There should be a towel between the heat source and the skin.

To whom and in what cases cold treatment is contraindicated:

people with circulatory disorders or ischemia;
people with lack of skin sensitivity (anesthesia);
for vasospasm;
in the case of an open or infected wound;
people with hypersensitivity to cold;
People with acute dermatitis or eczema.

Who and in what cases is heat treatment contraindicated:

people with reduced sensitivity to heat;
for blood circulation disorders;
in case of recent bleeding or bruising;
on open wounds;
in infected areas;
cancer patients (if the area of the body above the tumor is being treated);
for patients with tuberculosis (if the area of the body above the affected area is being treated);
for swelling or acute inflammation.