Hot Or Cold?

What is the difference?

Must I use hot or cold?? This is a question I get asked a lot at my family chiropractic practice in Fourways. So let’s break it down.

COLD

Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, is any cold application to injured tissue. The cold takes heat away from the area which reduces the amount of blood flow to the tissue through a process called sympathetic vasoconstriction.

Slowing blood flow to the injured tissue is beneficial as it:

1. Controls inflammation by reducing the influx of
   inflammatory markers.
2. Controls swelling.

Reducing tissue temperature benefits by:

1. Creates a local anaesthetic effect (reduces
   pain) by slowing down nerve signals carrying pain.
2. Prevents further death of injured tissue

Cold therapy is beneficial in the first 2-48 hours of an injury.

HOT

Heat is the application of warmth to the body. Heat causes
the opposite effect to cold as it causes vasodilation of the blood vessels,
making them wider, in order to bring more blood to the area of pain.

Increase of blood benefits the body by:

1. Increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients to
   an area
2. Warmth increases tissue metabolism which
   activates healing.
3. Warmth increases the elasticity of connective
   tissue which improves range of motion.

Heat can be applied to the body after the first 48 hours of
an injury.

There are certain instances where you should avoid hot and cold therapy.

When to avoid hot?

1. Open wound
2. Bruised or swollen area
3. Dermatitis
4. Vascular disease
5. Deep vein thrombosis

When to avoid cold?

1. Poor circulation
2. Stiff muscle or joint
3. Diabetic
4. Sensory disorders

Hope this was helpful!