Difference between Hot and Cold Therapy

Hot vs. Cold Therapy: Patients in San Diego Should Know the Difference

Hot and cold therapy both use temperature to control pain and help heal injuries. Many people use hot and cold therapy interchangeably to make aching, stiff muscles feel better. However, these two types of therapy each have a very different effect on the body. Understanding the difference between hot and cold therapy can help you decide which one is right for your needs. At DiSabatino Chiropractic and Rehab, we want to help you decide which type of therapy is right for you.

Cold Therapy Helps Stop Swelling

Ice packs and cold compresses cause blood vessels to constrict. This is the body's way of trying to stay warm and conserve body heat when temperatures outside drop to dangerously low levels. If you have an injury that is prone to swelling, ice packs can bring down that swelling, which helps to restore range of motion. Ice packs can also slow down nerve responses, which help to reduce pain at the site of the injury.

Cold therapy is used to treat traumatic injuries of the muscle and joints (like sprains), where the site of the injury is likely to swell.

Heat Therapy Helps Relieve Muscle Pain

Heat therapy is good for providing relief to aching muscles. Pain as a result of muscle strain and hard work can respond well to heat therapy. Heat therapy is often used to reduce back and neck pain.

Heat therapy opens up blood vessels. Increased blood flow can promote healing in many cases. However, heat therapy should not be used in the case of injuries that are likely to experience swelling and inflammation, as heat will encourage swelling.

For more information about how you can use heat and cold therapy to reduce your pain and help your injuries heal, contact our experienced chiropractor, Dr. Nicholas DiSabatino, at (619) 324-4073. DiSabatino Chiropractic and Rehab serves the Mission Valley and San Diego, CA communities, and we can help relieve your pain and improve your quality of life.