Heat or Ice...Which is Better?

Maybe you’ve wondered about this yourself.  It’s a question I get asked frequently, so I felt like it would be a good topic to cover here. 

Heat and ice both have some very good benefits when it comes to managing injuries or pain.  Aside from pain relief, heat can help increase blood flow, increase tissue flexibility, decrease joint stiffness or muscle spasm.  Ice can also help with pain relief, decrease muscle spasm and assist in resolving inflammation. 

So, which is better...Heat or Ice?

​
​It really depends on the person, the problem and what the individual hopes to achieve. 

If pain relief or decreasing muscle spasm is the primary goal…I generally recommend my patients to choose the one that they feel gives them the best relief.

If someone wants to decrease stiffness or improve flexibility…I would likely suggest heat.

If someone needs to decrease swelling…ice may be best, especially in the Acute or Early Phase of any injury.  However, heat may also help decrease swelling through improved circulation in the later phases of an injury or if you are dealing with more of a chronic problem.

When in doubt, choose the option that helps YOU feel better.

If you try ice and it makes you feel worse, then try heat instead…and vice versa!

Another VERY important detail to remember is that while things like heat & ice can certainly give you some relief…the relief is ONLY TEMPORARY!

The truth is, if you have been suffering in pain for more than 2 weeks, it’s unlikely that heat or ice will correct the underlying problems causing your pain. 

If you need some help to uncover the underlying cause of your pain and are looking for a LONG-TERM SOLUTION…we are offering a 100% FREE DISCOVERY VISIT to help you with just that!

Call us at 503-744-0046 to schedule your FREE 20-MINUTE DISCOVERY VISIT…or just click on the link!

If you have questions, we’d love to hear from you and would be happy to help.  Please email me at info@purelyprimalpt.com.  I read and respond to every email.

Best in Health,

Dr. Julie Krueger