Heat vs Ice

When should I use heat or ice for a specific condition?

Submitted by Rebecca L. Deal, MSPT at North Tahoe Physical Therapy

There are two issue to consider when deciding between heat and cold therapy after an injury. First, consider the timing of the injury. If the injury is in the acute phase (1-2 days) and still showing signs of inflammation, ice is the most beneficial treatment. After swelling has resolved and the injury passes into the sub-acute and chronic phases of healing, switching to heat treatments is advised.

Second, the affected area and placement of the heat/cold modality must be analyzed. Crowded joint spaces, ligaments and tendon attachment sites that are susceptible to swelling and increased joint fluid with conditions like rotator cuff tendinitis or a torn knee meniscus require ice. Cold modalities work to decrease inflammation allowing more joint space and removing the fluid restrictions to range of motion. Muscles respond well to heat. Heat sources to sore muscles act to decrease muscle tension and eliminate muscle spasms.

Sometimes an injury scenario presents itself and the timing and placement issues conflict, leaving you again confuse between ice and heat modalities. What do you do for an acute muscle condition or chronic joint pain? The timing issue takes precedent over the placement so acute muscle pain needs ice, while chronic joint pain requires heat. If it is just too difficult to decide ice versus heat, consider a contrast heat/cold schedule. A contrast schedule alternates between heat and cold modalities in succession to both eliminate inflammation and provide symptom relief.