Well known in the world of sports, cryotherapy (cold therapy) and thermotherapy (application of a heat source) relieve pain and can be a good alternative to drug treatments. But how do they work? “There is very little scientific support for determining whether it is better to put heat or cold on an injury. Generally speaking, it is advisable to put cold on an acute injury, whereas heat would be preferable in the case of chronic pain“, explains, in a Canadian media, Dr Jérôme Ouellet, pediatrician specializing in sports medicine.
Applying cold to an injury often appears to be the best emergency treatment in the event of trauma. Young parents know this better than anyone, it’s often their first instinct. “Putting cold on an injury tightens the blood vessels which irrigate the injured area. We therefore limit swelling and the delivery of inflammatory molecules,” explains Dr. Ouellet. “Thanks to the phenomenon of cold-induced neurapraxiawe reduce the speed of transmission of information between the region concerned and the brain by the nerves involved and cooled. We also reduce the reactivity of these same nerves to stimuli,” adds the sports medicine specialist. This therapy thus acts like a local anesthetic.
However, this therapy should be used in moderation. “Applying ice for a long time could be harmfullead to a problem with the supply of oxygen and nutrients necessary for healing. Nor should it be harm the recovery process“, underlines Nicolas St-Maurice, kinesiologist in sports medicine.
Hot therapy also has many benefits. Unlike the cold, heat promotes vasodilationimproving blood circulation. The muscles relax, and muscle spasms are reduced.
Heat also contributes to reduce pain by stimulating receptors in the skin. “Heat will be used in the context of an injury that is in the subacute or chronic stage primarily, again only with a view to managing pain. Clinically speaking and in my experience, the cervical region responds particularly well to heat“, says Élisabeth Germain.
The hot water bottle: a simple and effective way
Locally, the hot water bottle is a simple way to reduce pain. Of the heating patchesavailable in pharmacies, are also effective in relieving joint and/or muscle pain. “At the physiotherapist, the tecartherapie diffuses gentle heat inside the tissues by radio frequency via electrodes and by manual action. This technique seems to have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect,” explains to the media Current Woman Jérôme Auger, physiotherapist in Paris.
For the lucky ones with a bathtub, a hot bath is a simple technique to reduce contractures. Another method from thermal medicine consists of hot mud wrap. However, there is no scientific proof of its effectiveness.
Some precautions to take for these two therapies
Although cold is effective against inflammation, it should not be completely slowed down, because this reaction of the body is necessary for healing.
This therapy must be applied within 72 hours which follow the lesion and never be applied to an open wound. If using ice, you must avoid direct contact with skin so as not to damage it. A simple towel will do the trick to avoid burns.
People who are diabetic or suffer from Raynaud’s syndromecirculatory insufficiency, hypertension, varicose ulcer or urticaria should not use this therapy.
The application of heat is not recommended in the presence infection, edema, inflammation, diabetescirculatory disorders, hyperthermia or pregnancy.
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