– By Dr. Mahima Handa
Continuous and recurring pain is one of the most common health problems in today’s world. Almost 75% of the world’s population suffers it at least once in a lifetime. Work life has become fast and competitive.
Low back pain, knee pain, neck pain, ankle pain, etc. are very frequently heard these days. But, ‘when pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.’
Heat and Cold therapy are the answers to the pain problems.
They help in various types of pain to relieve the problem steadily.
Heat therapy increases temperature of a particular area, which improves the blood circulation. This helps soothe the discomfort. Also, it washes away the waste and harmful substances. It helps to transport nutrients to the area, therefore helps to heal the damaged tissue better. It also helps to improve muscle flexibility. It aids in alleviating stiffness of sore joints. It also helps to remove lactic acid waste after exercise.
Cold therapy is also known as cryotherapy. It helps to reduce inflammation and swelling. This in turn reduces pain. It also calms down fatigue. It is very useful in sudden pain and swelling. Cold therapy also helps to numb sore tissues. It therefore acts as a local anesthetic and slows down pain messages being transcribed to the brain. Rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) is a gold standard treatment protocol for treating sports injuries.
Using heat or cold therapy after exercise helps to reduce muscle soreness. This helps in a better workout. It also helps you burn more calories due to less pain.
Contrast therapy is also a great way which helps in reducing pain. It involves applying heat and cold therapy alternatively in one sitting. Apply heating pad for 10 minutes, then apply a cold pad for next 10 minutes. Then, continue for three to five times. It is a majorly used treatment now-a-days for arthritis pain and knee pain.
These therapies gradually with time heal the damages and lower the pain. This leads to a better and comfortable life. Minor or acute problems can use 15 minutes of therapy. Major, chronic or recurring problems can make use of 30 minutes of therapy or more.
We can also take benefit of oiling with heat therapies. Oils like coconut oil, almond oil, etc. can aid in the therapy. Also, medicinal creams and gels can be used with heat therapy too. It will help to infuse the medications deep into the body part. This will help it to work even better. There are many ways heat and cold therapies can be taken like hot packs, heating belts, electric cold packs, etc.
One of the major and reliable companies providing them is SandPuppy. SandPuppy is the leading brand in pain relief and comfort solutions. SandPuppy Products are designed with stringent safety standards and modern heating filament technology to provide deep Far Infrared Radiation induced heat, designed to manage your pain better.
Incorporating heat and cold therapies in your lifestyle will help you reduce the daily aches and make you mellowed for a better day.
‘ You have enough, you do enough, you are enough. Its time to sit back and relax.’