This is one of the most common questions we are asked at our Tacoma Chiropractic Office. Using ice and heat properly can make a big difference with how you feel and how fast you heal. Ice should be used if you have a new injury. The first 24-72 hours ice should be the only thing you use. When you are injured, inflammation will reach its peak within the first 24-72 hours. Inflammation has chemicals in it that can irritate nerves, it also takes up space and could put pressure on your nerves. This can be very painful but ice can reduce swelling and calm your pain.

Heat and ice should be used as a combination after the first 24-72 hours up to 12 weeks. This is called contrast therapy. Ice will help push out inflammation and heat will increase blood flow bringing oxygen and nutrients to the injured areas.

After 12 weeks any pain that is left is considered to be chronic. Heat should be used primarily at this point. Your soft tissues are usually tight, stiff and possibly deconditioned. Increasing blood flow and flexibility can usually reduce a lot of pain. Heat can increase your flexibility up to 25%.

Please use this post as a general guideline for understanding how to use ice and heat. Give us a call or ask us while you are in the office about how to optimize your ice and heat applications to reduce your pain and speed your recovery.