There are many types of therapy packs, from those filled with herbs for soothing and relaxing, to those that stop swelling and relieve aches and pains. Therapeutic use of cold and heat packs is very specific and often can be alternated for speeding up the healing process of an injured area. When there is inflammation due to injury, cold packs are recommended to stop the swelling. Inflammation occurs when blood vessels around injured tissues become swollen with blood and nutrients that flood the area to begin the healing process. If this swelling isn't controlled, deeper damage to the tissue can ensue, making it a longer process to heal the injury. Swelling can also press on the nerves surrounding the area, causing pain. Cold therapy constricts the blood vessels, numbs the injured tissues and reduces muscle spasm. Athletes often apply ice after sports events to reduce inflammation and lesson pain. Heat therapy is most commonly used for muscle spasms, joint stiffness and for loosening the muscles and joints. Heat therapy packs are ideal for use before exercise.
What to Look for
When looking for an appropriate cold or heat pack, look for something that conforms to the body. Many therapy packs come in shapes that fit specific areas such as the ankle, wrist, knee, back, and neck. Cold packs come in reusable casings that wrap around the injured area and can be stored in the freezer. Keep a package of peas in your freezer for emergencies. The bagged peas easily conform to body shape and are an ideal alternative to commercial ice therapy packs. Heat packs come in a variety of models, such as flexible bags containing heat-maintaining chemicals like silica. They can also contain gel, a solution of sodium acetate (a form of salt) that is supersaturated to keep the pack in stable liquid form, or a blend of iron filings and other chemicals that create heat once the pack is opened. Moist heat packs penetrate more deeply than dry packs.
Common Pitfalls
Make sure you do not place a hot therapy pack on an injury during its first stages. This will only increase swelling, cause more pain and slow down the healing process due to the increase in blood flow. When using hot therapy packs, do not allow them to remain on one area for too long as this can cause burns. When using cold therapy packs, do not apply for more than 15 minutes at a time. Make sure you do not place the therapy pack directly on the skin. Use a cloth to prevent the cold plastic from burning your skin. Cold packs are not recommended for very young or very old people as they can cause a radical drop in temperature that leads to other complications.
Member Comments