Posts Tagged "Inflammation"

Hot pack vs Ice pack

Posted by Dr. DeVries on Oct 10, 2011 in Blog, Drug Free Treatment, Health Tips | 0 comments

One of the most frequently asked questions we hear is: “Should I use hot or cold on my back?” To determine which therapy is best suited for a particular condition we must first determine the nature of the complaint. Some conditions respond more favorably to one as compared to the other. How long has the complaint been present? Was there a specific incident that created the complaint or has it been a long standing problem. These are just some of the considerations that must be taken into account when determining the proper use of Hot or Cold therapy.

Ice/Cold therapy is best suited for the treatment of acute injuries. Strains and sprains such as a twisted ankle or overuse injuries where there is swelling will be better treated with what has been called I.C.E therapy. (Ice, Compression, Elevation) When using Ice the timing is variable. Each of us reacts to ice differently. That is why rather than a time patients are told that when Ice is place on the body they need to pay attention to what they feel where the ice is being placed. There are 4 stages to look for with the use of ice: 1) It will feel cod when first applied. 2) As time progresses it may feel like there is a burning sensation. 3) The next sensation is an aching feeling in the area of application.   4) The final stag is numbness. Once the numbness sets in the ice has had it maximum effect. It is at this time that the ice should be removed. Allow the area to rest for at lest 30 minutes before re-applying the ice. ALWAYS USE A LAYER OF CLOTH BETWEEN THE SKIN AND THE ICE.

Heat therapy is best used in chronic cases where there is no active inflammation. Heat will also increase the circulation to a region and must be used with caution to prevent increased swelling. When using heat moist heat is more effective than dry heat.  One can purchase these type pf hot packs in a store or make one. A moist hot pack can be made with a wet towel warmed in a microwave. This wet towel is then wrapped with a dry one to prevent burning. Allow the area to rest for at least 30 minutes before re-applying the heat ALWAYS HAVE A LAYER OF CLOTH BETWEEN THE SKIN AND THE HEAT SOURCE.

Both of these home therapies are considered First aid and as such should not be used for more than 48 hours. If any pain or symptoms persist or worsen contact a physician as soon as possible. If the symptoms persist for more than 48 hours there is another cause for your pain aside from the musculature. Chiropractic physicians work with these types of conditions on a daily basis and as such are an excellent first choice for helping to resolve the underlying problem.

Quick Fix vs. Rehabilitative Care

Posted by fseblog on Jun 13, 2011 in Auto Accident, Blog, Personal Injury | 0 comments

After an auto accident there will be many things to take care of, don’t let your health be the last on that list.  When you have pain after an accident there are many structures that have possibly been damaged including bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves.  Damage to these body parts can cause severe pain and/or numbness making it hard for you to work or perform daily tasks.  Many people think that if they just rest the pain and damage will go away.  You may have even been given pain medication by your primary care doctor or at the hospital, it is still important to have your spine evaluated by a skilled chiropractor.  There can be underlying problems and issues that can make the chances of the problem self-resolving impossible.  Chiropractic care will get you back on the road to recovery.  While getting out of pain may be your only goal initially, a quick fix will not give you the benefit of long lasting rehabilitative/corrective care.