The physical therapist explains when they should or should not be used to relieve pain
Hot water bottles and ice packs are often used to relieve muscle pain, reduce inflammation and aid recovery from injuries. Both in a sporting context and in everyday life, compresses have been used as a form of self-treatment for various physical ailments.
However, frequent use of these methods without considering their specific applications and without medical guidance generates a number of myths about their effectiveness and safety. Thus Bernardo Sampaio, physiotherapist and clinical director of the ITC Vertebral de Guarulhos, clarifies some misunderstandings related to the use of cold and hot compresses on injuries. Check it out below!
1. A hot water bottle is more effective than ice for treating muscle contractures
Bernardo Sampaio explains that, depending on the injury, hot water can help relax muscles and relieve pain in case of muscle contracture, but it is not always the best solution. “Also, try combining the use of the hot water bottle with other measures. Simple examples could be: if the tension is in the back, do light and small hiking during the day it can help reduce pain; or, if your neck or neck is tense, choose not to sleep on your stomach”, adds the specialist.
two. Ice is anti-inflammatory
Who has never been advised to use ice to relieve inflammation? “The use of ice cubes in the times of wound it favors what we call vasoconstriction, which is nothing more than the contraction of blood vessels. It also helps control edema, but there is no evidence that it improves local inflammation,” explains the physiotherapist.
3. Applying heat is always better than ice for relaxing muscle structures
The physiotherapist says that “every case is different”. However yes, the hot water bottle can be a great option for headaches, menstrual crampsmuscle pain post-workout or after performing physical exercises.
4. Ice is more effective than heat in treating tendinopathies
Ice helps control edema (swelling) when it occurs, which is not very common in tendinopathies, but can occur. It was believed in the anti-inflammatory power of ice for tendinopathies, but it has been seen that these properties are very weak and can still hinder the recovery of the tendon.
“To correctly treat tendinopathies it is necessary to adopt a series of precautions: the use of splints in the wrist region can help at first (not as the only resource); absolute rest is not indicated, in fact it is necessary to control the load that will be exercised on the tendon for good tissue recovery, which is why it is advisable to use light and specific exercises”, explains Bernardo Sampaio. Furthermore, according to the professional, the use of anti-inflammatories and analgesics under medical prescription, in combination with, is prohibited Physiotherapyit is the main way to ensure that the pain does not persist.
By Fernanda Cezar
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
