Heat vs Ice when is it best to use each one?

In healthcare, there always seems to be an age old debate of heat vs Ice in helping assist on patient recovery.

Ice is typically associated with helping reduce inflammation in the body and is usually prescribed after acute injuries where there is likely lots of inflammation present.

For example, after an ankle sprain playing football, the player is often told to ice the region to help reduce inflammation and swelling.

Inflammation is also a factor of why we feel pain so by reducing inflammation it is suggested it will help reduce our pain levels too.

Heat is typically used for muscular injuries where the cause of the patients pain is coming from tight muscles and ligaments causing the superficial “pain nerves” to be more sensitive.

Heat is typically used for more chronic pain patients and is a useful tool to use in pain management.

Patients often report that using heat bags or a hot bath is soothing and helps reduce the pain on the affected area.

However, using heat and ice isn’t always clear cut and textbook. Even though the evidence might suggest using ice, patients can report that heat is better for their pain levels and visa versa.

My personal recommendation is to use the text book recommended modality and if that doesn’t work then try the alternative using the one that gives you the most relief.

If you are still unsure, then ask a healthcare professional such as a Chiropractor for their advice and they can point you in the right direction of whether heat or ice is the right tool for you.