How do Heat and Ice Therapy Work?

 Chiropractic care offers an option when you prefer a holistic approach to healthcare. When it comes to sore muscles and strains and sprains, hot and cold therapy is a way to provide treatment without having to resort to medication. Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV provides chiropractic treatments including cryotherapy to residents in Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley, WV. 

What is cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is the use of cold temperatures, at or near freezing, to treat injuries, inflammation, and pain. When you use an ice pack on your sprained ankle, you are using cryotherapy at its most basic level. It can be used as a whole-body treatment, or it can be applied to a particular part of the body. 

It is often used to help accelerate the healing of injuries in athletes. Using ice packs for muscle pains has been mainstream for years. When the ice pack is removed, the circulation is increased in the area and this helps not just raise the temperature, but to promote healing and pain relief. When cold is applied, it encourages the production of endorphins, which are nature's pain relievers.

A 2000 study showed that cryotherapy provided temporary relief for the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.  

Heat therapy

Heat therapy increases blood flow to the area that is injured or in pain. It is often used with stiff and sore muscles. Heat treatment is usually more effective when it comes to chronic pain and arthritis. But some chiropractic therapies also use heat to treat soft tissues and promote healing. Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to vibrate and health the tissues below the skin and help promote healing at a cellular level. 

Heat is also psychologically comforting and when you are sore, you want to be comforted. That is where a heating pad or warm packs can help. A hot stone massage uses heat therapy to help relax and provide a feeling of contentment. 

Cold and heat therapy are often used one after the other to treat injuries in the soft tissues. Cold brings down the swelling and slows the blood flow and heat increases blood flow and provides relaxation and comfort.

Contact us

Don't wait, call our office today. Dr. McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV will help you with your pain. The option of cryotherapy will be discussed and if hot and cold therapy makes sense, it can be used. Reach out to us at (304) 776-1520. 

Ice Therapy vs. Heat Therapy

It’s hard to know when you should apply heat or ice to an injury. It seems like everyone has a different opinion on the topic. Because of the constant miscommunication on this issue, Dr. Jay McClanahan has created this simple guide. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, located in Nitro, WV, we offer the best advice for our patients. In simple terms: ice is best for recent injuries while heat is great for sore and stiff muscles.

As expected, Ice or Cold Therapy consists of icing the injured area. Doing so greatly reduces the inflammation of the swollen tissue. Inflammation is a natural but painful part of the healing process. Applying ice makes it less uncomfortable. Ice therapy works best on superficial injuries.

Use Heat Therapy when treating aches and pains. Stiffness often results from chronic and muscle pain, along with stress. Heat is the perfect solution. It relaxes the muscles, creating better circulation and blood flow to the area. It both soothes and speeds up the healing process.

Be cautious when switching quickly between ice and heat therapy. Talk to your Nitro, WV, chiropractor beforehand.

Remember there are a few situations where these therapies should be avoided. Ice worsens stiffness and heat aggravates inflammation. It seems like common sense, but don’t apply heat to an area that’s burning up or ice when you’re shivering.

If you’ve recently suffered an injury or are dealing with untreatable pain, reach out to the staff at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Dr. Jay McClanahan offers a variety of treatments. To learn more or schedule an appointment at our Nitro, WV, office, visit our website or call 304-776-1520.