Heat and Cold Compress Flashcards
are often recommended to help relieve an aching pain that
results from muscle or joint damage.
Hot and cold therapy
can involve the use of a hot water bottle,
pads that can be heated in a microwave, or a warm bath.
Basic heat therapy, or thermotherapy
a water bottle filled with cold water, a pad
cooled in the freezer, or cool water can be used
For cold therapy, or cryotherapy
True of False? alternating hot and cold may help, as it will greatly increase
blood flow to the injury site which speeds up healing process.
True
use ___ for acute injuries or pain, along with
inflammation and swelling
ice
While use ___for chronic muscle pain or stiffness
heat
The main purpose of both these treatments is to
reduce swelling, and relieve
pain.
It works by reducing blood flow to a particular area, which can significantly
reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain, especially around a joint or a
tendon. It can temporarily reduce nerve activity, which can also relieve pain
COLD THERAPY:
PURPOSES:
To reduce swelling thru
vasoconstriction
* To decrease body temperature
* To numb an area and reduce pain,
* and
* To control bacterial growth
Cold Compress
Ice is very important to use in the first stage of injury; the inflammatory stage of
injury is generally the first
72 hours
Indicated for the following:
* Fever * swelling * muscle sprain / strain
* Migraine headache * gout flare ups * insect bites
* allergies
Cold Compress
COLD decreases blood flow thru
vasoconstriction
HEAT / COLD pack must be applied for no more than __ minutes each time, with
an hour or two interval
20 minutes
is most effective during the first 72 hrs (acute phase) of injury
COLD therapy
HEAT increases blood flow thru
vasodilation.
is most effective after the inflammatory stage (72 hrs) and for
chronic muscle stiffness and pain.
HEAT
Heat, thru its vasodilating effect speeds up the healing process by bringing in more
__________ _________ to the affected area..
blood flow
Both methods are contra-indicated to people with
sensory disorders
Cold or ice makes our vessels
Constrict
WHEN NOT TO USE FOR COLD THERAPY
- On people with sensory disorders
- on stiff muscles or joints.
- if you have poor circulation
If you’re not careful, cold therapy applied for too long or too directly can
result in skin, tissue, or nerve damage.
* If you have cardiovascular or heart disease, consult your doctor before
using cold therapy
POTENTIAL RISKS
also known as thermotherapy is
the use of heat in treatment.. applying heat to an area
increases the blood flow bringing along proteins and
oxygen to the area.
HEAT THERAPY
Heat therapy method is great to
decrease joint stiffness, relieves pain and muscle spasm.
Use heat therapy for chronic muscle pain,
or after the inflammatory stage of injury
(after 72 hrs).
works by improving
circulation and blood flow to a particular area due to increased temperature.
Increasing the temperature of the afflicted area even slightly can soothe discomfort and increase muscle flexibility. can relax and soothe
muscles and heal damaged tissue.
Heat therapy
INDICATIONS FOR USE HEAT
- muscle spasm and pain
- joint stiffness
- contractures
heating packs/packs
* easy to apply
. Dry
Steamed towel
* Moist heating packs
* Hot baths
Moist
If the area in question is either bruised or swollen (or both), it may be
better to use cold therapy.
* to an area with an open wound
* People with certain pre-existing conditions should not use heat therapy
due to higher risk of burns or complications due to heat application.
These conditions include:
o Diabetes
o Dermatitis
o Deep vein thrombosis
o Multiple sclerosis
o If you have either heart disease or hypertension, ask your
doctor before using heat therapy.
o If you are pregnant, check with your doctor before using
saunas or hot tubs.
WHEN NOT TO USE FOR HEAT THERAPHY
- Heat therapy should utilize “warm” temperatures instead of “hot” ones.
If you use heat that’s too hot, you can burn the skin. - If you have an infection and use heat therapy, there is a chance that the
heat therapy could increase the risk of the infection spreading. - Heat applied directly to a local area, like with heating packs, should not
be used for more than 20 minutes at a time. - If you experience increased swelling, stop the treatment immediately
POTENTIAL RISKS
neurosensory impairment
* impaired mental status . impaired level of consciousness
* impaired circulation
* Open wounds.
* Active hemorrhage. Heat causes vasodilation thus, increases bleeding
* Skin disorders
CONTRAINDICATIONS TO THE USE OF HOT AND COLD
is most effective during the first 72 hours of injury
Cold Therapy
Fever
Migraine
Allergies
Goutflare Ups
Cold Therapy
