We’ve all been there— you get hurt, there’s pain and swelling, and sometimes, you can barely feel anything. You need immediate attention, so what is it: ice or heat? That’s the thing about these types of injuries, they are sudden and make things a whole lot stressful.
But no action means increasing the chances of getting injured, chronic pain, complications, and, worst of all, disability. So, we are here to ensure you can confidently put on the heating pad or ice pack on your injury.
But first, what is an acute injury?
An acute injury is sudden and usually occurs as a response to an accident or trauma. Therefore, an acute injury can be anything from breaking your bone while rollerblading to spraining your hand when practicing a superhero landing.
If you’re lucky enough (kinda but not really) to sustain an acute injury near a hospital, walk (or crawl) in. But if it happens somewhere else, you need to get it under control before you get medical attention. So what are you grabbing, ice or heat?
Heat is Best For:
Heat pads are comforting and oh-so warm. However, they are not the best choice in most acute injuries because heat increases blood flow to the part where it is applied. If you’re trying to reduce inflammation or swelling, then heating pads are not the way to go. The warmer your injury gets, the redder and angrier it gets.
But it’s not to say that your heating pad is useless. It can be good for soft tissues and your back. It will warm up your muscles, increasing connective tissues’ extensibility and cellular metabolism.
Therefore, you can use heating pads for acute lower back pain, spasms, muscle cramps, or stiffness. In addition, heat is best for chronic injuries, or at least after the first three days of an injury.
Ice is Best For:
If your guess was ice, you are right on the money! Ice is the best choice for acute injuries because these types of injuries cause a lot of swelling and inflammation. Ice reduces swelling and inflammation by tightening blood vessels and, thus, blood flow. As a bonus, the cold temperature of ice numbs the affected area, so you can finally get a break from the endless throbbing.
However, time is an important factor for ice and acute injuries.
Apply an ice pack, frozen veggies, or even a bucket of ice immediately after the injury and for up to 72 hours afterward. Do it at intervals and move the ice around to prevent nerve damage—20-20 is a good rule: 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Depending on how your injury is faring, you can do this four times a day or hourly.
Final Thoughts: Ice is Good, Physiotherapists are Better
Yes, you should use ice to ‘treat’ an acute injury as soon as possible. However, the next step is seeking medical attention. Seeing a good physiotherapist in Oakville is the best way to treat your injury, prevent chronic pain, and ensure you maintain full use of your limb or body part.
So, the next time you sustain an acute injury, visit Oakville Physiotherapy & Wellness Clinic. We have the best therapists in Oakville and Mississauga, offering hands-on treatment that keeps you moving. From sprains to strains, we care for them all!