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Neck Pillow Store Hot and Cold Therapy

The Proper way to use Hot and Cold Therapy

Hot Therapy

Hot therapy works by opening blood vessels, causing an increase in blood flow to the area of application. This helps to relax muscles and decrease pain. Hot therapy is recommended for chronic neck discomforts, including muscle stiffness and soreness. Apply a warm neck wrap to the affected area for 20 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of rest. Repeat this process three to four times daily until stiffness and soreness subside. Check skin frequently to make sure it is not too hot. Do not use hot therapy on areas with poor circulation or decreased sensation, or areas with bruising or swelling. If swelling is present, apply cold therapy to the affected area until swelling subsides. Always consult your healthcare professional.

Cold Therapy

Cold therapy works by constricting blood vessels, resulting in a decrease in blood flow to the area of application. This helps to decrease swelling and promote healing. Cold therapy also helps to numb nerve endings, preventing them from transmitting signals of pain to the brain. Cold therapy is recommended for the first 72 hours following acute neck injuries, trauma resulting from surgery or with swelling. Apply a cold or cooling neck wrap pack to the affected area for 20 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of rest. Repeat this process three to four times daily until swelling subsides. Check skin frequently to make sure it is not too cold. Always consult your healthcare professional.

Proper use of hot and cold therapy can aid in the healing process. During the first 72 hours of an injury, use a cold neck wrap to decrease swelling and limit motion of the area. Any whiplash type neck injury consisting of sprain (tearing of a muscle) and/or sprain (tearing of a ligament) produces swelling. When these tissues tear, bleeding may occur similar to when you cut your finger. You would not use hot therapy on a cut figer and similarly, you should not use hot therapy on a recent sprain or strain injury to the neck. The sooner you can apply cold therapy to the area, the sooner it can start to heal. You can use a bag of frozen vegetables or put ice in a plastic bag, cover the neck with a towel and begin to use cold therapy immediately if you do not have a cold neck wrap available. You should always have it checked by a health care professional.

If improvement is noted after the first 72 hours of resting the neck and using cold therapy, you can begin to use hot therapy to soothe the neck and bring in fresh nutrients to help heal the area. Motion increases and a hot neck wrap is ideal for hot therapy and may be used for the next 4-6 weeks and beyond as the neck heals and exercise strengthens the area.

Our neck wraps are ideal for hot and cold therapy as most allow hands free use and are contoured to fit the neck and top of shoulders for a more consistent and relaxing application.

Although the use of hot and cold therapy is generally safe and effective, some precautions should be noted.

Cold Therapy: Some people are not able to tolerate cold therapy. This is called cryestesia and may be due to a genetic factor, nerve disorders making the area hypersensitive like diabetes or blood vessel problems like arteriosclerosis. Additionally, cold therapy should be used with caution in the young, weak or elderly.

Heat Therapy: Never use for more than 20 minutes at a time. Some people will lie on a heating pad which can cause an accumulation of fluids causing swelling. Caution should be used to prevent overheating and use over areas which may not have normal sensitivity such as scars or with diabetes related nerve problems. Do not use over skin rashes or over areas where lotions intended to relieve pain like biofreeze are applied. Do not use over ares of metal such as jewelry. Again, extra caution should be used with hot therapy in the weak, young and elderly.