Heat or Ice?

Heat or Ice?

Heat or Ice Sleep O'Fallon MO

Quite often, I hear the question, “Should I use ice or heat”?  This is a very important question.  The answer can mean the difference between quick healing and prolonging and injury.  So, my answer the majority of the time is to use ice.  Cold will help to decrease inflammation in the injured tissue.  Inflammation, while necessary for initial healing, can also keep an injury from fully healing.  Getting rid of inflammation is key in promoting quick healing, and for athletes, a quick return to their sport.

For an acute injury, ice should be used for 20 minutes per application and applied 5-8 times per day during the initial 48 hours following the injury.  For a chronic injury, ice should be used, but only following activity, not prior to activity.  Finally, heat can be used for a chronic injury, such as an overuse injury, to relax tight tissues and increase the blood flow to that area.  Heat, like ice, should be used 20 minutes per application.

OFFICE HOURS


Monday
9:00am - 6:00pm


Tuesday
9:00am - 5:00pm


Wednesday
10:00am - 6:00pm


Thursday
9:00am - 5:00pm


Friday
9:00am - 4:00pm


Saturday
Closed

Located within Frontier Health Center
O'Fallon Crossing Chiropractic
199 Frontier Park Drive
O'Fallon, MO 63366
(636) 272-7473