Hot
& Cold Applications |
| Heat Application |
Heat and/or cold therapy is indicated or
recommended for treatment of injuries, the methods and products
used are an integral part of any successful management treatment
plan. This article will help you to understand when and how
to apply heat and cold therapy, and when their applications
are most effective.
These therapies, used independently or in combination, help
to alleviate pain from strains, sprains, stiffness, tightness
and soreness of muscles, ligaments, and tendons as well as,
bone, joint pain, arthritis, headaches and sports injuries.
Keep in mind that proper application of heat and/or cold therapy
are of utmost importance.
When an injury is in its healing phase, or if uninjured tissue
requires more circulation, the application of heat therapy is
indicated.
Heat therapy aids in:
1. Increasing blood flow
2. Increases the tissue activity and metabolic healing mechanism
3. Helping the muscle’s natural ability to relax and stretch
with less effort
4. And decrease or lessen the feeling of pain produced by the
injury.
In the "Pain Relief’ category, moist heat therapy
is generally preferred over day heat. Moist heat has a greater
penetration at any particular temperature over that of a Dry
heat. For Dry Heat to reach the same penetration levels as Moist
Heat, Dry Heat must be delivered at a higher temperature, and
thus adds more risk of possible burning, discomfort, and set-back.
Heat therapy should be applied as follows:
1. 20 minutes on
2. 2 hours off
3. Repeat.
An application lasting beyond 20 minutes may increase the time
required for rehabilitation of a particular injury.
Remember, if pain resists after initial treatments of heat,
you should seek professional assistance. In all injuries
it is a good idea to treat the problem as being worse until
you can prove it to be otherwise.
Note:
In some cases the use of both cold and heat may be recommended.
This is referred to as "contrasting" or alternation
hot and cold applications. Contrasting produces a physical
hot-cold pumping action on the involved site. And
it is this pumping action, which removed unwanted fluid build-ups
in sub-acute conditions. Sub-acute conditions
exist in a time frame between two to six days. Let’s
next look at Cold therapy treatment and management. |
| Cold Application Guidelines |
If swelling is present immediately after
an injury has occurred, apply cold therapy. Cold therapy aids
in slowing circulation and unwanted bleeding in the injured
area. The swelling that typically occurs is a result of the
pooling of blood around the injury due to the trauma delivered
to the cells and surrounding tissues. By applying cold therapy
as soon as possible, you reduce the unwanted blood flow, swelling,
and edema. This process also slows muscle spasm and decreases
the pain reaction. Cold therapy should be applied as follows:
1. Large Areas
1. 20 Minutes On
2. 2 Hours Off
3. Repeat.
2. Median Size Area 1. 15 Minutes On
2. 2 Hours Off
3. Repeat
3. Small Areas 1. 10 Minutes On
2. 2 Hours Off
3. Repeat
It should be noted that the application of cold therapy in excess
of 20 minutes at a time may cause additional bleeding, swelling,
and possible frost bite.
Another essential part of cold therapy application is compression.
Compression is the practice of wrapping or bandaging the injured
area of the body to give pressure to slow and stop the bleeding
and, at the same time, adds support. Although cold therapy is
applied on and off for short periods of time over a 3 day or
more, if necessary, compression should be applied continuously.
The functions of compression are to:
1. Slow and stop the bleeding
2. Redirect existing fluids, causing the swelling, back into
their vascular channels
3. Splint and support the injured area
Note: blood and other body fluids out of their proper vascular
channels (swelling & edema) greatly prolong and extend the
body’s normal healing time periods. The faster you can
control, stability, and eliminate any swelling the shorter the
healing time will be.
Quick Swelling Reduction
Another way to reduce swelling is by drinking a glass of "Orange
Juice". This action shifts body fluids from its peripheral
tissues into its digestive track. This is an old body builder
technique called "Carbing Up". Carbing up is short
for the process of elevating the levels of carbohydrates in
your digestive track. When this is done, the body automatically
shifts its body fluids from the periphery into its digestive
system. The overall effect for the body builder is the exaggeration
of his or her body muscle tone and definition. The overall effect
in injury management and treatment is a reduction of unwanted
swelling and/or edema to the injured area.
Nothing beats the total effectiveness of swelling and edema
reduction by electromagnetic therapies, such as Violet Ray Tube,
multiple Wave Oscillator, and the Diapulse.
N-I & N-2 Ceramic Magnets
work exceptional well as well, not only immediately reduce swelling,
but to control pain as well. The Tesla High Frequency Coil Violet
Tube also reduces swelling and pain.
A very effective successfully step-by-step treatment procedure
to guide you through new injuries (acute) is called the "RICES-S
Rule". Each letter of the rule stands for an action or
actions you must immediately perform to successfully manage
the new injury. The management of initial traumatic injury,
swelling, edema, and shock is included in this rule. If
you do not own or have excess to any electromagnetic devices
you can apply cold using the guidelines provided in the chapter
The rule is as follows:
RICES-S Rule
1. R = Rest (place the Injury a state of physiological rest
& stay
off of it)
2. I = Ice (apply cold therapy to the involved site)
3. I = Immobilization (movement or motion will worsen an existing
injury)
4. C = Compression (use a support wrap or elastic ace
bandage)
5. E = the immediate application of electromagnetic therapies
and the Elevation of the involved area up to or above the heart.
The elevation of the involved area helps to manage the
swelling by keeping the involved area in a raised position,
which allowing gravity to help remove the unwanted swelling
and/or edema.
6. S = treat for shock (For an explanation and treatment of
Shock,
please see the shock chapter.)
7. S = correctly fit a support product such as splint, crutches,
etc.
Always consult a doctor if pain and swelling continue or if
the condition doesn’t make the progress you normally expect
to see or have experienced. |
| Acute Injury Vs Chronic Injury |
An acute injury is one that is a new or has
just immediately happened, such as bruises, burns, cuts, sprains
or surgery. A chronic injury or ailment is one that is persistent,
continues to come back over and over again, or is long-lasting,
like migraine headaches, stiff joints, loss in joint range of
motion, cramps, arthritis, bad backs, or the aggravation produced
by old injuries.
Whichever the case, acute or chronic, the proper application
of cold with compression and moist head can offer immediate
temporary relief from pain or other symptoms.
Basic
Rules For Acute (Immediate) Injuries
1. Apply some form of cold therapy combined with compression
as soon as possible after the injury has occurred. Note: To
avoid the risk of frostbite, use of a wrap or cloth towel between
the skin and the cold pack is recommended.
2. While compression should be used continuously, cold therapy
should be alternated - on for 20 to 30 minutes, off for 2 hours,
and repeat. This may go on in intervals up to 72 hours following
the injury.
3. After all bleeding and swelling have stopped and the body
has transitioned through its "Shock-Reaction", stabilized,
and shows outward sighs of recovery, moist heat may then be
applied.
Basic Rules For Chronic (recurring
or long-lasting) Injuries
1. Almost all forms of chronic conditions can be treated by
applying moist heat therapy.
2. However, when the injury or ailment involves nerves, bones,
ligaments, or tendons and unwanted signs and symptoms come on
quickly, immediately apply cold therapy and compression. Simply
follow "Step 2" under basic rules for acute injuries.
3. Experiment with "Contrasting Therapy", or alternating
both heat and cold. Apply heat therapy first, then apply cold,
and repeat. If this does not give the relief you expect, go
to the therapy that gave the most relief. Most of the time it
will be cold therapy.
4. The best home remedy is Epsom Salt & Apple Cider Vinegar
bath. Apply cup of Epsom Salt and one cup of apple cider vinegar
to a hot bath tub (104 degrees of less) and soak for 20 to 30
minutes. Do not rinse off, but rather simply dry off and go
to bed. The nest morning is when you will notice the therapeutic
difference.
Note: Whether you are
experiencing serious acute pain or persistent chronic pain,
it is always best to consult a physician or follow a respected
recommended management and treatment rehabilitation plan. |
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