When to ice and when to heat…one of life’s little mysteries!  Not anymore!  We are going to set the record straight here and now. When to use Ice for injuries:

• Use for acute injuries
• Helps with swelling
• Controls inflammation
• Good for sprains or overuse injuries
• Apply as soon after the injury as possible
• Use for only 20 minutes…no more.

When to use heat for injuries:

• Use for chronic conditions such as arthritis
• Helps to loosen tissue and muscles
• Increases blood flow
• Use heat before participating in activity, not after
• Good for muscles strains
• Only apply for 20 minutes…no more.

Both Ice and Heat can be very good in managing pain and discomfort when used properly and for the right amount of time.  As usual, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before proceeding with ice and heat treatment just to be sure there aren’t any underlying conditions that have been overlooked.