Heat/Ice

Heat Pack

Heat is recommended to decrease chronic pain, relax muscles, and provide pain relief. It should not be used with an acute or “new” injury.

Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy

Cold therapy is used to cause vasoconstriction (the blood vessels constrict or decrease their diameter) to reduce the amount of fluid that leaks out of the capillaries into the tissue spaces (swelling) in response to tissue injury. Ice or cold is used most frequently in acute injuries, but it is also an effective pain reliever for even the most chronic pain. Cold therapy may be administered by using a cold pack or an ice massage.