Should you use ice or heat after an injury?

We speak with physiotherapist, Dr. Bahram Jam [D.Sc.PT, M.PHTY, B.Sc.PT, FCAMT], about the evidence behind the use of ice or heat for pain, swelling, or inflammation after soft tissue (muscle strain, ligament sprain, etc) injury.

[h.]

me watching this while icing my hands:
👁👄👁

[cbsteffen]

Ice calms heavy or extreme rapid blood flow and shrinks swellings while heat relaxes muscles and allows blood flow to pass through more. When I had one heck of an inflammatory headache from violent anxiety, it felt as if all of my body heat got crowded up in my head! Blood flow must’ve been jammed above and behind my brain when my brain got so tight that not just blood but also moisture and oxygen got blocked from interior paths in my brain. The same thing happened to my bowels obviously except no inflammation in or around them. If you have an injury that needs ice and another that needs heat at the same time, you should probably focus more on the one that needs ice so that blood flow doesn’t stay stuck anywhere inside you!

[rebomdimaranan]

hands down to this guy, he's so amazing

[jaf]

I agree as far as soft tissue injuries go, but I have had a great deal of success using ice for nerve inflammation especially for nerve root issues.

[emelyquezada]

Honestly loved the video and this is a really interesting conversation. Prolly not the info I was looking for since I’m looking for a fast relief since I fell from the stairs and hurt my ankle and nobody is near to help. But either way I feel this was nice. I’ll look into it keep up the good work! ❤️

[valdimitroff]

I don't disagree with the statement that recovery from inflammation is being reduced by icing, however, I tried it on a gout inflamed toe and the pain was notably reduced; in contrast to the heat therapy, which resulted in excruciating pain. I guess what I'm trying to say is that ice and heat should be used as tools for comfort improvement and maybe not necessarily for changing the recovery times.

[zealkurusuthegatorman]

I put the bag of ice and wrapped in a a t-shirt as a thin towel substitute did helped the inflammation and bruises.

[mikegainan]

Thanks I will not use tm heat on my body again I’ve been taking cold showers and feel so much better

[Xtazation]

long term inflammation can cause damage to certain types of cartilage like the meniscus in the knee so i agree with you but there is time when its too much and can cause damage

[priyatamdesai]

Doctor
I had trauma
Thigh quadriceps muscle crush .

Pls guide me how long this take to heal.
So that I can do my run n walk etc as normal .

Kindly revert back
And yes doc told to put ice 🧊 and strictly no warm.

[SZNSUS]

Ice does in fact reduce inflammation...
Ice is a natural way to reduce swelling, inflammation, pain etc.

[markreiber]

Is it better get up and move around right after taking a bad spill on bike or just sit around for a few days

[rachidzaidani]

Thanks man, it was a helpful information 👍

[stefanosoderi]

Great info but I’m telling you in my case of shoulder pain, Ice was the key!

[novaios]

NHS on a tooth ache will say ice
Tried hot water bottle made tooth ache worse

Tried a frozen compress It numbed area, made things easier.

[billgibbs]

What's your opinion on contrast baths?

[caramelhoney]

I use Ice for my Legs or ankles. I use heat on my back.

[sahalshaikh]

My ankle is swollen after an injury during a soccer game what do I do

[sagarsaha]

After 14days of lower spine back pain. today i use ice therapy in my back and my pain almost gone.before today i just use heat therapy..can anyone suggest me about this?

[kooboo]

I have a wrist injury from deadlifting and ice just helped me so a brace ig