Thermal
Agents
Ice
The
use of ice (cryotherapy) is one of the most neglected forms of pain relief in injuries. It can help to reduce inflammation.
The most effective form is a bag of frozen peas in a moist tea cloth. You can leave on for up to 15 minutes, but be careful
not to damage your skin through an ‘ice burn’. Repeat hourly if necessary. Use ice after doing your physiotherapy
/ other exercises when recovering from an injury.
Heat
Therapies
Relieves muscle spasm, helps the circulation and increases the blood flow to damaged tissue.
Superficial
Heat packs
/ lamps
Paraffin baths
Immersion
Deep
Shortwave
diathermy
Ultrasound
Laser
|
COLD |
HEAT |
|
Indications |
Indications |
|
Acute Injury |
Subacute / chronic injuries |
|
Acute / Chronic Pain |
Subacute / chronic pain |
|
After initial rehabilitation sessions |
Subacute / chronic muscle spasm |
|
Muscle Spasm |
Soft tissue stiffness, joint contractures |
|
|
Resolution of haematomas |
|
Contraindications |
Contraindications |
|
Open wounds |
Acute injuries |
|
Circulatory insufficiency |
Open wounds |
|
Sensory deficit |
Circulatory insufficiency |
|
Raynauds phenomenon |
Sensory deficit |
|
|
Neoplasms |
