Back to About Us

Back to Location

Back to Stages to Recovery

Back to After Treatment

Back to Long-Term Treatment

Personal

Links

I know, I know -- heat feels so much more comforting than cold. And yes, whole body heat (hot bath, shower, whirlpool) can be quite beneficial in relaxing muscles and promoting whole body blood circulation. Unfortunately, spot heat (heating pads, hot packs) can have long-term detrimental effects. A hot pack will cause the blood vessels under the pack to dilate, allowing copious amounts of blood to flood the area. This causes inflammation which can irritate the nerves and muscles, eventually leading to muscle contraction and even spasm. And a heating pad can be dangerously hot and lead to actual burns should you fall asleep with one.

On the other hand, a cold pack will help constrict blood vessels, causing excess fluid accumulation to decrease, thus taking the pressure off of sensitive nerves. Cold also enables inflamed muscles to relax. I recommend cold packs for any area of muscle soreness after exertion or myofascial therapy. A cold pack applied for just a few minutes to the neck or shoulder will act as a natural painkiller, allowing you to stretch more fully afterwards. For the low back or thigh, you can apply the cold pack for up to twenty minutes. Just remember to remove the cold pack as soon as you start to feel chilled or numb -- otherwise, the blood vessels underneath will dilate to allow the blood to rush in and warm the chilled muscles.

And remember--a bag of frozen peas is a great cold pack. Always keep several bags in the freezer for your family's use.

Next: Personal