When treating an injury such as a pulled muscle or sprained ankle, hot or cold therapy is often utilized. When using this type of therapy on an injury, many people are often unsure on which type of therapy they should use. The following outlines when to use either hot or cold therapy.

Hot Therapy

One should apply heat on an injured area when there is no inflammation. Heat therapy is typically used for such conditions as sore and stiff muscles as well as joint pain. The heat relaxes muscles and improves blood circulation. Experts believe the heat releases endorphins which inhibits pain signals to the brain. The effect of the heat causes the blood vessels to expand allowing the blood which carries oxygen and nutrients to circulate and reach the injured area. The boost in circulation allows excess fluid and waste to be carried away from the area allowing for healing to take place.

Heat therapy is often used before exercise or participating in sports so the muscles will be relaxed and more flexible. Heat is usually applied for about 20 minutes. A hot wet towel, hot pack, and heating pad are normally used in heat therapy. Heat therapy is popular for use on back injuries. It should not be used on sprained ankles and inflamed joints and muscles. The suitable temperature for heat therapy is about 104 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cold Therapy

Cold therapy is used for reducing pain, inflammation, and slowing metabolic action. The cold dulls nerve activity thereby inhibiting pain. For inflammation, cold constricts blood vessels which stop fluid from traveling to the injury where swelling occurs and permits fluid drainage. This allows for a reduction in swelling. Cold reduces muscle spasms and tightens muscles so they cannot stretch and extend which allows for healing.

Cold therapy is beneficial for immediate injuries as it reduces both pain and swelling. It is beneficial for treating lower back pain. Ice wrapped in a towel and cold packs are often used for about 10 minutes at a time. Some people will use a bag of ice or frozen vegetables such as peas. Cold therapy is also beneficial for chronic pain injuries. It should not be used before exercise because it tightens muscles making them less flexible.

When one sustains an injury due to such activities as heavy lifting, exercise, sports, or another activity that involves an intensive use of the muscles and ligaments, hot and cold therapy is an effective treatment for the injury. These injuries are quite common. The type of treatment you use will depend on the type of injury you receive. It is important to remember that an injury can be serious so it is vital that you see a doctor if the injury gets worse.

Many experts recommend seeing a doctor if the injury does not improve within 48 hours. Whether you use hot or cold therapy, it is essential to use the proper temperature and length of time for the most effective results.

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Thousands of soldiers are returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with moderate to severe physical injuries. Such injuries include head tram, loss of limbs, and debilitating injuries to such areas as the arms and legs. Medical providers are utilizing a number of treatments to help these brave men and woman return to civilian life.

Service dogs are helping to counteract the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by providing dogs to help calm and relax a soldier suffering from PTSD. The dogs sense a soldiers anxiety helps calm the soldier through the use of touch. The dogs are a loving distraction from stress. The dogs have two years of special training to help people with cognitive disorders and physical disabilities.

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) is the central point of helping soldiers recovering from traumatic injury. The Walter Reed Health Care System (WRHCS) consists of ten facilities in three states. Physical therapy services include rehabilitation treatments in areas as neurorehab, orthopedics, and amputees. The service is divided into five major sections: inpatient, orthopedic inpatient, outpatient, amputee, and aquatic therapy.

For physical injuries medical providers deliver various methods of treatment such as ultrasound, heat, ice and massage therapy, as well as a carefully designed exercise program. They also employ such treatment techniques as bands, medicine balls, stretches and exercise bikes to help e purpose is to strengthening and condition weak, sore, and injured muscles and joints. Often physical therapy has been more productive than surgery.

The physical therapist will also perform different tests to diagnose the patient’s condition. After completing the assessment, a treatment plan is discussed and therapy begins. Pain management is a key component of physical therapy.

Other physical therapy treatments include postural training and ergonomic training. Also called Human engineering, the applied science of ergonomics is focused on designing and arranging objects that patients use regularly so that patients and objects can interact adeptly and safely. For instance, work arrangements to accommodate the patient could consist of providing a more comfortable chair, sitting closer to a work desk, lowering the computer keyboard, arranging items to be at easy reach. This is often done for soldiers with back pain. Techniques and modifications are implemented to fit the patients specific medical condition.

Exercises are an essential part of physical therapy treatment. This can include swimming, using a treadmill, stretching techniques, breathing techniques, lifting weights. These exercises are not only for clinic use, but also for home exercise. As well, therapeutic techniques are designed to help soldiers learn how to function with artificial limbs.

The trauma of war can be emotionally debilitating. For returning injured soldiers, physical therapy includes mental health therapy. This can include providing coping strategies on how to deal with a loss of a limb, overcoming the feeling of helplessness, overcoming the feeling of isolation and depression, and showing the soldier that life can still be productive and meaningful.

Soldiers deserve the best medical treatment for their service. Because there are so many soldiers returning from war seriously injured, it is important that heath care providers are there to help them return to civilian life.

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