To Relieve Pain: Hot or Cold?

In case of a wound, it is important to intervene quickly, as inflammation quickly appears: heat and local redness, swelling and tissue hardening. At home, two tools are at hand to treat common wounds to extremities, neck or back: local application of cold or heat.

These applications have similarities and differences that one should be aware of.

Applying cold:

• Decreasing blood flow where it is applied;
• Reducing cellular activity;
• Relaxing muscles by decreasing muscular spasms;
• Alleviate pain;
• Provokes a temporary stiffening.

Applying heat:

• Increases blood flow;
• Increases cellular activity;
• Relaxes muscles;
• Stimulates tissues elasticity;
• Alleviates pain.

In case of inflammation, the application of ice every two or three hours will be effective. It can go on for seven or eight days and even more. However, if you feel no relief and if these symptoms appears: constant or increasing pain, notable mobility loss, disturbed sleep, no improvement even after rest and immobility, consult your health care professional!

When the wound site is acutely inflamed, heat is not recommended as it will contribute to the inflammation of the area. When cold has done it’s job and inflammation has disappeared, heat applications will relieve mild pain and repair tissues.

When you don’t know if heat or cold should be applied, try cold first, for a period of ten to fifteen minutes; if there is no improvement, apply heat for a period of 20 to 30 minutes. The best solution is to consult your health care professional, a physiotherapist or your pharmacist.