Applying heat or cold can help relieve arthritis pain and stiffness. But which one is better? Here’s a guide on what to use and when.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
When your joints are stiff and sore, applying heat or cold can provide relief. But which one works best? That depends on the type of discomfort you have.
Heat helps to relax sore muscles and soothe stiff joints. What’s more, when applied before exercise, it can improve your workout by making muscles and joints more limber.
There are lots of ways you can apply heat. For example, disposable heat patches, hot packs that you warm in the microwave, or warm, moist towels. A warm bath or shower is also an option, as is a heated pool or hot tub. Whatever you choose, make sure the temperature is warm, but not too hot.
Wrap heat packs in a towel before placing them on your skin to prevent burns. Be especially careful if you have diabetes or a circulation problem, which can make it harder to feel pain.
Heat should not be applied to a joint that’s red, hot, or swollen. For that, cold is best. Unlike heat, which increases blood flow, cold narrows blood vessels. It reduces swelling and numbs pain making it a good choice when an arthritis flare-up first hits or joints become inflamed. It’s also best for acute injuries such as sprains or pulled muscles.
To apply cold, you can use a gel-filled ice pack, ice cubes in a sealable plastic bag, or even a package of frozen vegetables. Wrap these in a towel while applying to your skin. If your skin turns red or gets numb, remove the cold pack right away.
Whether you use cold or heat, don’t apply it for more than 20 minutes at a time, and don’t use it on skin that has cuts or sores. Some people find that alternating between cold and heat works best.
Learning what’s most effective for you may require trial and error, but once you’ve figured it out, you’ll have an easy way to help give your arthritis the cold shoulder.