When it comes to arthritis pain, it’s hard to know whether hot or cold
therapy will best relieve the symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no hard
and fast rule and patients sometimes must try several methods before
they decide which one is right for them. Even doctors can’t say for
sure which method works best to relieve pain.
The general rule of thumb is that for acute injuries such as a sprained ankle, ice works best. But when it comes to arthritis pain, heat and cold both reduce inflammation so both can work on the pain. Many arthritis suffers say that when it comes to choosing between hot and cold therapy, it depends on the day. When joints feel warm and especially painful, most arthritis sufferers will turn to cold therapy. When their joints are stiff, heat therapy works best.
Hot therapy includes the use of heating pads, heat lamps, warm baths, and heat packs. Cold treatments include ice bags and cold packs. No matter which pain therapy works best for an individual, it is import to keep track of the methods used in order to refer back to those methods when the pain flares up again.
It also is important to use hot and cold therapies safely. Before using a hot or cold treatment, make sure your skin is dry and healthy. Use hot or cold therapy for no more than 20 minutes at a time. If you are taking a warm bath, make sure that it is not too hot or you may get dizzy. Always place a towel between any type of pack and your skin. Do not use cold packs if you have poor circulation and do not use anything that is too hot or too cold. Blisters can occur in both cases. Don’t use heat rubs or lotions on your skin in combination with heat or ice treatment.
For many arthritis suffers, a contrast bath is especially effective. Contrast baths work best with hand or foot pain. Begin by placing your hands or feet in warm water for three minutes and then cold water for one minute. Repeat this three times.
It is important that you explore all your options when it comes to arthritis pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not as popular as they once were and they carry some risks of heart disease and gastrointestinal bleeding. Opioid drugs such as morphine also aren’t popular due to the risk of dependence and some unpleasant side effects. Thankfully, there are many drug-free alternatives to combat arthritis pain. And sometimes it is just a matter of trying different methods of pain control before discovering what works best for you.
The general rule of thumb is that for acute injuries such as a sprained ankle, ice works best. But when it comes to arthritis pain, heat and cold both reduce inflammation so both can work on the pain. Many arthritis suffers say that when it comes to choosing between hot and cold therapy, it depends on the day. When joints feel warm and especially painful, most arthritis sufferers will turn to cold therapy. When their joints are stiff, heat therapy works best.
Hot therapy includes the use of heating pads, heat lamps, warm baths, and heat packs. Cold treatments include ice bags and cold packs. No matter which pain therapy works best for an individual, it is import to keep track of the methods used in order to refer back to those methods when the pain flares up again.
It also is important to use hot and cold therapies safely. Before using a hot or cold treatment, make sure your skin is dry and healthy. Use hot or cold therapy for no more than 20 minutes at a time. If you are taking a warm bath, make sure that it is not too hot or you may get dizzy. Always place a towel between any type of pack and your skin. Do not use cold packs if you have poor circulation and do not use anything that is too hot or too cold. Blisters can occur in both cases. Don’t use heat rubs or lotions on your skin in combination with heat or ice treatment.
For many arthritis suffers, a contrast bath is especially effective. Contrast baths work best with hand or foot pain. Begin by placing your hands or feet in warm water for three minutes and then cold water for one minute. Repeat this three times.
It is important that you explore all your options when it comes to arthritis pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not as popular as they once were and they carry some risks of heart disease and gastrointestinal bleeding. Opioid drugs such as morphine also aren’t popular due to the risk of dependence and some unpleasant side effects. Thankfully, there are many drug-free alternatives to combat arthritis pain. And sometimes it is just a matter of trying different methods of pain control before discovering what works best for you.
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