There is no doubt when people are in pain, they want quick relief especially if they can’t sleep at night due to this discomfort. To reduce the pain, we apply ice or heat packs to the injured area. But which one works well and which option is the best for injuries? There is another important aspect of applying ice or heat packs- how can we use them safely. Read this article to know which you should go for and contact pain physicians to reduce your pain in Oklahoma.

When to Apply Ice Treatment?

People generally apply ice packs in acute injured places to eliminate the pain, swelling and inflammation. We may experience inflammation as a natural response of our bodies to an injury. If you don’t treat it quickly, then the inflammation may cause immense pain and disability. You may notice physical injury within the past 48 hours. Therefore, applying an ice pack reduces bleeding within tissues and swelling and alleviates muscle spasms.

How to Apply Ice to the Injury?

You should not place ice on the skin directly. You can use a bath towel. You have to move the ice pack to prevent frostbite. Keep in mind that you should not apply an ice pack for more than 15 to 20 minutes. Also, don’t apply an ice pack on the left shoulder if you have a heart condition.

When to Use Heat Treatment for the Injury?

We apply heat treatment to treat chronic injuries. Heat packs stimulate blood flow and relax tissue in the affected joint. Heat packs eliminate the pain quickly if muscle tension is the main underlying issue.

How to Apply Heat to the Injury?

You can apply heat with an electric heating pad or heated towel. If you use an electric pad, try to select the one which has a temperature control feature. There are several microwaveable bags filled with rice and wheat. You should use this type of heating pack carefully because it can lead to burns.

You should not apply heat right after any activity. Also, you must not use a heat pack in an acute place of injury. In addition to this, you should not heat a towel with boiling water. Don’t try to apply heat on damaged skin.

Seek Medical Advice

If you experience sudden pain or chronic pain which cannot be reduced after taking over-the-counter medicines and applying heat or ice packs, then contact pain physicians in Oklahoma. You can also give us a call at Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers to get advice to treat this condition.

**Disclaimer: These tips are not advised or suggested by doctors. The products that are promoted here are not FDA CERTIFIED to treat, cure or prevent any disease.