When do you use hot or cold for pain management? Use the right one to speed up your healing process.

When to CHILL:
Ice is for a recent injury or a flare up of a chronic condition.
It helps reduce swelling, inflammation, reduce pain, decrease blood flow to stop swelling, and decrease muscle spasms.

When to HEAT:
Heat is recommended for muscle tightness and tension.
It helps increase blood flow to specific area, relieves tension, provide pain relief, and increase flexibility in tight and sore muscles.

Be SAFE while applying either cold or hot packs. Wrap your ice pack in a towel before applying to the skin for 5 minutes or numbness whichever comes first. Apply heat for 20 minutes at a time and stay awake!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Arizona Spinal Care for the proper treatment.

Phoenix Health and Wellness Spring 2009