Hot or Cold Compress?
Hi all,
Does anyone know when to use a hot compress and when a cold one would work better? I've done something to my neck and can't really move my head too much and am wondering which type of compress to use. My instinct tells me hot compress. Thoughts?
Thanks!
Bookmark/Search this post with:
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this page
i believe that they say to apply ice for the first 48 hours after an injury, and then apply heat after that.
what happened to your neck?
good luck - we hope you feel better.
i have thrown out my neck several times in the last 5 or 6 years (at least twice a year) and ice has always worked best for me. in fact, i don't use heat at all. ice will reduce your swelling, while heat will help relax your muscles. if you've tweaked your neck, it's better to reduce the swelling.
i know it seems counter-intuitive, but isn't everything in life the same? e.g. the easy way is rarely the right way? in this case, the comfortable soothing heat is the easy way, but i think in the long run it will do more harm than good. ice on the other hand, who the heck wants to do that?! it's painful. and you must leave it on for 15-20 minutes (until the area is numb and slightly reddish in color).
good luck!
p.s. you should get a massage, i go to healthwise in springfield mall, they do chinese accu-pressure. they're the best. and it's affordable.
Thank you! I'm not really sure what I did, just suddenly noticed it the other day! This happens to me often enough to remember the last time it happened... I really should try a massage!
no problem. my neck usually get out of whack when i sleep on my stomach. generally, i change positions a few time during the night. but when i got to bed really really tired, i stay in the same position for most of the night. if that position happens to be on my stomach and my head is cranked to one side, the next morning my neck is screwed up. depending on how long i stayed in that position will determine how much pain i have and how long it takes to heal. worst case for me is i have extreme pain for a day or two (e.g. can't turn my head in either direction and may even stay home from work) but it slowly gets better after 1-2 weeks. in any case, worst case or not, ice and massage work best. good luck and don't forget, pain is a blessing! the more painful something is, the more we think about God!