Hot or Cold Compress: Which One is the Best Choice for Swelling?

Whenever we fall and get an injury, our elders usually recommend using a hot or cold
compress. You must have heard them quoting, “Hot and cold compress is important in
managing pain due to musculoskeletal injuries.( Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J. Mechanisms
and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury. Postgrad Med.
2015;127(1):57-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2015.992719)” But to understand
when to use hot or cold compress procedure is a bit tricky as there are numerous types of
injury people face. However, this question can be best answered when we can easily
differentiate the types of injuries and the timing for its treatment. So, let’s first understand
what the different types of pain that require heat or cold compress therapy are.
Well! There are two types of pain. One is an acute pain, and the other is a chronic pain. An

acute pain is a result of sudden trauma, which may include collision or fall. However, chronic

pain is developed from an old injury, caused due to overuse of a body part.

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573040/)

If you are still not clear about what is included in acute pain and chronic pain, then let me

explain this to you in detail.

Acute Pain

Whenever you hurt yourself, the injured area becomes inflamed, and the patient

experiences redness, swelling, and pain in the affected area. The pain caused by such

injuries is termed as acute pain. This type of pain remains for a maximum of five to six

months. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6179627/)

Physicians recommend using ice therapy in cases of acute pain.

How Does Cold Compress Help in Reducing Pain

Using ice on the affected part helps in narrowing the blood vessels, and thereby helps in

reducing the blood flow to the affected area responsible for aggravating swelling and

inflammation. Vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) decreases the metabolism in

the affected area by controlling the blood flow.

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3781860/)

Examples of Acute Pain where Ice Therapy Will Work

- Injury due to banging leg, knee, finger on a hard surface

- Ankle Sprain

- Pain in the knee due to sudden twisting of the leg

- Elbow injury

- Accidental contact of skin to a hot surface

- Labour Pain

How Long Should Ice be Used to Reduce Swelling?

Whenever you apply ice on a swelling, remember to do so for 20 minutes at a time. Give an

hour break between each session and make sure not to use ice directly onto the skin. You

can put ice in a sealed bag, in a towel/napkin, or put a wet towel in a freezer for 15-20

minutes and then apply it on the swelled area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=qZIqW2hjhzY

Note: Individuals having poor blood circulation, cardiovascular disease or inadequate

sensory response to touch should prefer approaching a therapist rather than doing

themselves as it will cause more damage than benefit. Further, if, after using a cold pack for
48 hours, doesn’t help you relieve your pain, please consult an Orthopedic Physician

immediately.

Now let us talk about chronic pain!!!