Should you apply hot or cold compresses for joint pain?

Hot compresses and cold compresses are two methods of using temperature to relieve common pain but are applied in different cases. Hot compresses help relieve pain by using high temperatures to dilate blood vessels, prevent muscle spasms, and increase blood flow to the area being applied. Meanwhile, the low temperature when applying cold compresses causes blood vessels to shrink, reducing metabolism and blood flow to the area being applied, thus reducing swelling, pain and inflammation.

People with chronic pain in the cervical spine, back spine, joint pain due to degeneration… should apply hot compresses. High temperature helps increase blood perfusion and metabolism to painful muscle and joint areas, helping to relax muscles and effectively reduce pain. However, do not apply hot compresses if the painful areas show signs of swelling, heat, or redness. Because at this time, those muscles and joints are inflamed, exposure to high temperatures makes the condition more serious.

Cold compresses are applied to acute injuries (without open wounds) such as sprains, swelling, muscle tears… or during acute exacerbations of inflammatory joint diseases such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis… Low temperatures constrict blood vessels, reduce blood flow and reduce inflammation at the applied sites, thereby quickly reducing pain. Cold compresses are usually only effective on injuries that have occurred within 48 hours.

You can apply heat if your chronic bone and joint pain has no signs of inflammation. To apply heat safely, use a heating pad, warm compress, or warm compress. You should only apply hot compresses for 10-15 minutes at a time, and apply again after your skin returns to normal temperature. However, you need to see a doctor if the condition does not improve or the pain gets worse, often recurs… This can be a warning sign of other diseases that need to be detected and treated promptly. avoid complications.