Hot vs. Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy can be used when recovering from an injury and Dr. Loren Morgan is here to tell you when to use which. If you experience muscle aches, cramps, you may benefit more from heat. On the other hand, if you suffer a sprain, a muscle strain, or a headache, you may benefit more from cold therapy. Allow us to explain why. Because cold therapy constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow when applied, it’s best used for acute injuries such as a sprained ankle, muscle tear, bruising, or inflammation as soon as possible. The reduced blood flow limits the amount of fluid around the injury which will reduce swelling over time. If you frequently experience sore, stiff muscles, heat is best used to improve mobility and increase joint elasticity. Heat should be used prior to exercise while cold therapy should be used after an activity. If you’ve recently been injured and are unsure of how to go about treatment, we can help. If you have questions or concerns regarding chiropracti...