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[RC] Heat packs-human - Bruce Weary DCI have to disagree with my friend and sometimes-dinner partner Barbara regarding therapeutic heat. Alternating between ice and heat is called contrast therapy, and is very effective for many conditions. You get the pain, swelling and inflammation control of ice, and the increased blood flow and healing effects of heat. I always recommend the use of a heating pad, on low heat only, for 15-20 minutes, and then remove it. Allow the skin to cool to normal temperature, then apply the ice for 15- 20 minutes as well. Remove and allow the skin to warm up, and repeat. Using heat is a little more tricky than ice, as too much heat or too long an application can overwhelm the capillaries and cause inflammation, even burning of tissues. NEVER sleep on a heating pad, or ice pack for that matter.Because heat often feels more soothing to the skin, many people will use it when they should be applying ice, during the initial inflammatory phase of an injury. This can congest the tissue, and delay healing as well as increase pain. Use ice or heat for their desired clinical effect, not because of whether or not they feel pleasurable. Ice will make a sprained ankle ache, but it's the right thing to do. Heat may feel soothing on the low back, but can make it worse if used too much or too soon. Gel packs and Therma-Care patches have inconsistent and uncontrolled temperatures, and both have caused burns. Even though the patches stay warm for 8-10 hours, you shouldn't be applying heat for that long anyway. Heating pad on low is safer, more controlled, and a better way to go. That will be $50, please. Dr Q =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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