Cool Relief or Soothing Heat: Maximizing Your Chiropractic Recovery with Ice and Heat Therapy
19th April, 2023.
Sometimes your Chiropractor might ask you to use an ice pack or a hot pack after your treatment and the reasons are very important to differentiate;
Using an Ice Pack, typically for a brief period of time has for effect to diminish inflammation. Inflammation are usually pain markers around an injured area. More inflammation usually means more pain. Hence by icing, you are reducing that inflammation and diminishing the pain. This will also allow for your muscles and joints a better window of opportunity to heal adequately and allow for your Chiropractor to do more to help you.
On the other hand, hot packs are great to improve blood flow especially within the musculoskeletal system. Improved blood flow and a warmed up area will loosen muscles, tendons and ligaments better making joints more movable and less stiff. The usage of a hot pack, in the morning especially, can be beneficial for people that feel very stiff and restricted especially when they first wake up.
This is why it is imperative you follow your chiropractor’s recommendation as both heat and cold serve two very different purposes and will impact how quickly you make a recovery.
