AthletePlus - Springdale, Arkansas - Athlete Plus - Physical Therapy - Sports Training - Athlete Plus - Speed Training - AthletesPlus - Core Training
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AthletePlus - Springdale, Arkansas - Athlete Plus - Physical Therapy - Sports Training - Athlete Plus - Speed Training - AthletesPlus - Core Training |
Phone: 479-751-THER (8437) |
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| Ice or Heat on my Injured Back? Would you put heat on a sprained ankle that just occurred? So why put heat on an acute back sprain.... Read more Pristine Points  Ice vs heat based on symptoms not time Application time: 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the body part and comfort. Do not use ice if conditions such as Diabetes exist. Use ice bags or gel packs and apply compression wraps. Why use Ice? Ice will help reduce pain, spasms, and the swelling that is caused by an injury to a muscle or joint. (Cold shrinks the blood vessels, which reduces bleeding in the area and helps to prevent swelling. It also helps prevent the muscles from going into spasm (involuntary contractions) and relieves pain.) Cryotherapy, which is the use of ice during treatment of injuries, reduces the metabolic rate in injured muscle and is often used several days after a soft tissue injury to reduce secondary hypoxic injury. If you were to apply heat to an acute injury, a condition called myositis ossificans can result which has ended some athletes' careers. Bone forms in the muscle is basically what occurs. For example, a hockey player that sustained a blow to the thigh developed this when treated with massage and heat directly after the injury. (62) Compression should be applied along with the ice and may be the more important treatment right after an injury according to a recent study. (60) The duration of bleeding in a muscular injury is not known, but immediate application of external pressure is probably far superior in emergency treatment of an injury. (60) Precautions Certain conditions such as Raynaud's phenomon and diabetes should not be treated with cold therapy because of the decrease in blood flow already present. In addition, body areas such as elbow, knee, and ankle have less body fat and the treatment time may be reduced. Also, older patients typically have less fatty tissue and do not tolerate ice for long periods. People with problems in the blood vessels near the skin should avoid cold therapy, especially those with Raynaud's phenomenon (a condition in which the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose constrict dramatically when exposed to cold and other stimuli). If you suspect you may be at risk because of diabetes or another condition that can diminish blood flow, check with your doctor before applying cold to an injury Myths: Apply ice for first 24-48 hours then heat. The issue is do I put heat or ice on my back. There are different views. Previously, ice was applied for the first 24-48 hours then heat. You should not base this on time since the initial injury. It should be based on irritability, which is how severe is the pain, how much movement before you reach that pain, and how long does it take for the pain to leave when you stop a movement. For example, if you move your back slightly, get intense pain, and the pain does not go away quickly, use ice. Some say alternate ice and heat which is fine as long as it is not an acute injury (just injured). This article is provided for information and entertainment purposes only. The content is provided "as is" for general information and to educate the reader. The article is not intended to serve as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The content should not be considered complete and should not be relied on to suggest a course of treatment for a particular individual suffering from a particular problem, issue or medical need. The reader should always consult with a qualified health care provider familiar with the reader's general health, background and conditions and follow the advice given by the health care provider. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before starting a new diet, treatment or fitness program. Do not delay seeking specific advice or care or disregard the advice of your health care provider based on information contained in this article. References Giving Injuries the Cold Treatment THE PHYSICIAN AND SPORTSMEDICINE - VOL 24 - NO. 3 - MARCH 96 Bryan Stamford, PhD Myositis Ossificans Traumatica J Manipulative Physiol Ther Danchik JJ, Yochum TR, Aspegren DD. 1993 Nov-Dec;16(9):605-14. 60 Thorsson O [Cold therapy of athletic injuries. Current literature review] Lakartidningen (Sweden), Mar 28 2001, 98(13) p1512-3 61 Mac Auley DC Ice therapy: how good is the evidence? [In Process Citation] Int J Sports Med (Germany), Jul 2001, 22(5) p379-84. 62 J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1993 Nov-Dec;16(9):605-14 Danchik JJ, Yochum TR, Aspegren DD. Logan College of Chiropractic, Chesterfield, MO 63006-1065. Article Date: August 2007 |
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