Ice Pack or Heat: What Should I Use?

Submitted by PatientsEngage on 6 September 2017

Are you confused as to when to use Ice Pack and when to use Heat to deal with pain, injury and inflammation? This infographic below sums it up quite simply.

According to Dr. Bhuvaneswari, a quick guideline to follow is: 

Ice pack is preferred if it is a recent and acute pain episode especially injury which may be a blood clot, muscle tear or tendon tear.  For instance most sport and exercse injuries. 

Heat or warmth for Chronic pain with stiffness, especially joint related pain as in Arthritis.

And watch out for Paraffin wax treatments. They can cause burns as well.
 

 

For the options of heat and ice packs and other tips, refer to the full article at https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/08/should-you-use-ice-or-heat-for-pain-infographic/amp/

 

 

Changed
02/Nov/2017
Community
Neurological Conditions
Muscle, Bone and Joint (earlier named Arthritis)
Condition
Arthritis
Migraine

Stories

  • Side view of a woman with short hair and rheumatoid arthritis holding her hands together
    How I Proactively Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis
    Rashne Dubash, 76 year old from Mumbai shares her journey of living with Rheumatoid Arthritis for over two decades. She talks about her symptoms, how she manages her health and the lessons learnt. Rashne Dubash is an energetic vibrant person who does not want any disease to curb her lifestyle. She continues to be active, refuses to retire and loves her life. She used to work as an administrator for a school and now works for a design firm. Please tell us a bit about your condition? I have…
  • Framed picture of Maxwell Gomes a young man in a purple tshirt
    Ankylosing Spondylitis Tears You Up From Inside
    Maxwell Gomes, 34 is living with a debilitating condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis in Kolkata which is so painful that it can even paralyse a person. Delayed diagnosis just makes it worse. Maxwell talks about how he manages AS as well as a host of other related issues. How would you like to introduce yourself? I am Maxwell Gomes, 34yrs from Kolkata, suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis – HLA B27 positive. I’m suffering since 2013, but I was only diagnosed as late as in August 2015. I work…
  • Family Support And Faith Helped Me Through Ankylosing Spondylitis
    Despite a family history of Ankylosing Spondylitis, it took 2 years for Amit Choudhari to get a diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Luckily despite experiencing pain and attacks, the treatment and medication prevented joint fusions. He talks of how AS affects his social, employment and lifestyle choices and how faith and family support help him cope with the condition.  Please tell us a bit about your condition I have been suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis (HLA B-27 Positive.)…
  • Courage And A Positive Attitude Help Fight Back Ankylosing Spondylitis
    Ramesh B. Choudhari, 64 from Nagpur was not only afflicted with Ankylosing Spondylitis from a young age, but was diagnosed very late which led to fusion of his joints and consequent surgeries. But that did not stop him from working, and leading a normal life to the best of his abilities. Please tell us a bit about your condition I have been suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) since 1972 ( my age was 14 yrs then) , but I was only correctly diagnosed in as late as 1997. I have had multiple…
  • Headshot of a man in a purple shirt framed in blue background
    "Supporting Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Is My Mission"
    Bhushan Ghate, 45 of Nagpur has been suffering from Ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease that can cause bones in the spine to fuse, from the early age of 12. Delayed diagnosis worsened the condition for which he is completely home bound now. He runs patient support groups and helps others with a similar condition in his own way. Challenges in Diagnosis I am a good example of delayed diagnosis. When I first felt the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis, it was in 1988-89, when I was…
  • I Work My Way Around Fatigue and Pain Due To Ankylosing Spondylitis And Fibromyalgia
    Prachee Bhosle, 42, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia, two painful rheumatic disorders, shelved her career plans and chose to become a patient leader to raise awareness and advocate for better care and support. She is currently President of Ankylosing Spondylitis Welfare Society.  Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your background? I am a parent to 2 kids, a 14-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy. Both my kids are homeschooled by me since 2017. After…
  • Ripples Of Music From A Wheelchair
    Jolene Dias, who was diagnosed with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, persevered her passion for music against adversities. From a celebrity singer, she began to teach music to children, including those with special needs, and challenge preconceived notions about people on wheelchairs. I was an extremely active child, good in sports and studies. I used to love to sing, dance, and perform. In school, I was at the center of all music shows, singing classes, and choir practices. I have been…
  • 6 मुख्य माइग्रेन ट्रिगर्स और माइग्रेन का सक्रीय रूप से प्रबंधन
    पोरसेल्वी ए.पी. एक संज्ञानात्मक और मनोसामाजिक हस्तक्षेप विशेषज्ञा हैं और इस लेख में पुरुषों और महिलाओं के लिए छह आम माइग्रेन ट्रिगर्स साझा करती हैं। वे यह भी बताती हैं कि आपको अपने माइग्रेन का सक्रिय रूप से प्रबंधित करने के लिए क्या करना चाहिए। माइग्रेन एक ऐसा दर्द है जो तीव्र/ गंभीर होता है, बार-बार होता है, और इसमें थ्रोबिंग महसूस होती है और यह आमतौर पर सिर के एक ही तरफ होता है । यह एक क्रोनिक न्यूरोलॉजिकल डिसऑर्डर है। थ्रोबिंग, पल्सेटिंग प्रकार का सिरदर्द (दर्द धक-धक् सा धड़क कर होता है) इसका…
  • a man holding his head due to throbbing migraine headache
    क्या बाल धोने से माइग्रेन हो सकता है? क्या बच्चों को माइग्रेन हो सकता है? ऐसे कई प्रश्नों के जवाब।
    कोलकाता के मेडिका सुपरस्पेशलिटी अस्पताल में न्यूरोलॉजी के प्रमुख डॉ। अमित हलदर इस लेख में माइग्रेन पर अनेक अकसर पूछे जाने वाले सवालों के जवाब देते हैं। डॉ। हलधर हमें माइग्रेन में ट्रिगर्स की भूमिका और माइग्रेन से बचने के सर्वोत्तम तरीके के बारे में भी बताते हैं। क्या माइग्रेन और सामान्य सिरदर्द एक ही तकलीफ के दो नाम हैं? यदि नहीं, तो माइग्रेन और साधारण सिरदर्द कैसे भिन्न हैं? माइग्रेन एक एपिसोडिक हेमिक्रानियल (एक तरफा) थ्रोबिंग सिरदर्द है। इस के निदान के लिए निश्चित मानदंड उपलब्ध हैं जिसमें…
  • Stock pic showing Knee Pain
    जीवन की गति धीमी करने से स्वास्थ्य में सुधार: एक अनुभव
    काजल* सक्रिय  रहती थीं और अपनी जीवनशैली को लेकर सावधान थीं। जब उनका बेवजह  वजन कम होने लगा और घुटने में दर्द भी होने लगा तो उन्होंने कई टेस्ट करवाए और विशेषज्ञों से मिलीं। प्राप्त सलाह और समाधानों से संतुष्ट न होने पर, काजल ने खुद समाधान खोजने के लिए विभिन्न पूरक उपचारों को सक्रिय रूप से खोजा और कुछ आश्चर्यजनक निष्कर्ष निकाले। मैं हमेशा से ही पतली और सक्रिय रही हूं। अपने माता-पिता की स्वास्थ्य समस्याओं को पहचानते हुए, जब मेरी उम्र तीस साल हुई तो मैंने जीवन शैली को अधिक स्वस्थ  …