When Should I Use Heat or Ice for Pain?
Heat boosts the flow of blood and nutrients to an area of the body providing healing and long lasting relief. It often works best for morning stiffness or to warm up muscles before activity.
Cold slows blood flow, reducing swelling and pain. It numbs the area and reduces pain signals to the brain which causes the blood vessels to constrict and minimise swelling. It’s often best for short-term pain, like that from a sprain or a strain.
Deep Heat v's Deep Freeze; Which is right for your pain?
For acute injuries, it's essential to avoid applying heat as it can exacerbate inflammation and impede proper healing.
In managing injuries, prioritize using ice for acute ones (less than 6 weeks old). The cold helps constrict blood vessels, reducing pain, inflammation, and bruising.
For persistent injuries (older than 6 weeks), using heat is permissible. It enhances blood flow, easing tight muscles and joint discomfort, especially beneficial for improving joint mobility.
Before stretching or engaging in a home exercise regimen, apply heat. After physical activity, consider using ice or cold treatment to prevent inflammation flare-ups.
Arthritis
Arthritis, characterized by joint inflammation or discomfort resulting from worn-away cartilage, can lead to pain and stiffness in various areas such as elbows, knees, shoulders, and fingers. In such cases, employing moist heat works best.
Muscle strains and sprains
In the case of muscle strains and sprains, a combination of ice and heat typically yields the best results. Whether you've strained a muscle in your calf while gardening or sprained your ankle playing basketball, beginning with ice is advisable to alleviate inflammation (including swelling, redness, or tenderness of the injury) and numb the pain. Once the inflammation subsides, transitioning to heat can help alleviate any muscle stiffness at the injury site.
Headaches
Headaches ranging from mild discomforts treatable with over-the-counter pain relievers to those requiring additional measures for relief. Ice can effectively alleviate throbbing head pain. Cold masks or wraps placed over the forehead, eyes, and temples can alleviate the throbbing pain of a migraine.
Although ice is typically favored for headaches, moist heat or a heat wrap can help relax neck spasms that contribute to headache discomfort.
DEEP HEAT : HOW IT WORKS AND WHEN TO USE IT
Deep Heat Rub is recommended for the relief of muscular pains and stiffness including back and rheumatic pain, sciatica, fibrositis, sprains and chilblains. Can be used before and after exercise.
Penetrating heat therapy helps to increase blood supply to relax and soothe in aching, injured and sore muscles.
How does Deep Heat work?
Deep Heat contains the aspirin-like drug methyl salicylate for targeted pain relief as well as warming ingredients that increase blood flow and provide soothing pain relief.
How to use Deep Heat
Shake well, hold can 15cm from the skin and spray onto the desired area in 2-3 short bursts. Use as required.
People experience warmth differently: apply sparingly on first application, reapplying after 15 minutes if a stronger effect is desired.
Do not use Deep Heat products on broken, infected or inflamed skin.
DEEP FREEZE: HOW IT WORKS AND WHEN TO USE IT
Deep Freeze Cold provides relief for minor aches in muscles and joints. Scientifically proven cooling for backs, neck & shoulders and legs & feet.
How does Deep Freeze work?
Deep Freeze Cold Spray works like ice, delivering an instant burst of targeted cooling to the area. Can be used with medicines. Can be used immediately after exercise.
SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN COOLING RELIEF – WORKS LIKE ICE by delivering an instant burst of targeted cooling to the desired area.
How to use Deep Freeze?
Shake can before use. Always try on a small area first. Hold 15cm from area and spray in 2-3 short bursts. Wash hands after use.
Apply as required.
Do not use:
On broken or irritated skin or with other skin products on the same area
if allergic to any of the ingredients
On or near the eyes or other sensitive areas
On children under 6 years
Deep Freeze Cold Spray IS NOT suitable for use during pregnancy.