HARMON FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC
2602 Newton St.
Jasper, IN 47546
PAIN CONTROL THROUGH ICE/HEAT APPLICATION
Because we understand and are aware of your residual pain that is associated with your condition, we recommend the home use of ice and heat modalities to facilitate your recovery.
WHY ICE AND HEAT?
Simple as they may seem, ice and heat are both capable of providing significant therapeutic benefits when properly used. Of course, we recommend these forms of treatment because, like Chiropractic, they are an effective and natural means of aiding your body to heal itself.
HOW DO THEY WORK?
Ice is useful because of its ability to reduce muscle spasm and inflammation and ease the acute pains that often are attributable to swelling of soft-tissue or of the nerve itself. Heat (especially deep, penetrating, moist heat) is absolutely mandatory for effective healing and long term pain relief. Together, ice and heat are synergistic - meaning that there are positive effects when they are used together in the proper manner. The "pumping" action of successive cold/heat treatment has been shown to effectively reduce swelling in cases of "hard edema" and chronic inflammation.
HOW DO I USE THIS "APPLICATION"?
You have been supplied with a reusable ice pack. Moist heat can be obtained by either soaking of a towel and gentle heating in a microwave or the use of a shower or hot tub.
TO APPLY ICE: Wrap your ice pack in a bath or hand towel and apply it to the affected area. If you have any more than momentary discomfort, add layers of toweling successively until you are comfortable. If you have multiple areas of complaint, it is okay to move the ice from one area to another using the guidelines below.
TO APPLY MOIST HEAT: Heat the moistened towel in the microwave for a short time (30sec-1min) and you should be able to hold it in your hand without it being too warm. Apply the towel to the affected area, but do not lay on the hot towel. Again, add layers of towels to regulate the intensity of the heat.
HOW LONG?
[1] Apply ice for 20 minutes every 2 waking hours
[2] Apply moist heat for 10 minutes every 2 waking hours
[3] Apply ice for 20 minutes, then moist heat for 10 minutes and then off for 30 minutes
[4] Apply moist heat for 10 minutes, ice for 10 minutes, and then moist heat for 10 minutes
If you carefully adhere to this home-care regimen, as well as the other instructions your doctor has provided, you will feel better and you will get well faster.