Ice or Heat for acute injuries

Jan 03, 2012

  • Gavin asked The Guru for the following Physiotherapy Advice:

    Hi there

    If, in a situation at half time at a football game, you have tweaked a muscle and needed treatment to prepare as best as possible for the 2nd half, would you use cold therapy or heat therapy?

    Can you also explain your reason for your answer.

    Kind regards

    Gavin

  • The Six Physio Guru responded:

    Hi Gavin

    Tweaking a muscle is as close as possible to tearing a muscle. In this case I'd go for the ice.

    Why? Destroying muscle does 2 basic things. Firstly sprays blood around inside the muscle and secondly pre-sets up an inflammatory pathway.

    Ice causes local vasoconstriction and will help to limit and slow bleeding and so promote formation of clots to help with tissue repair.

    Heat may give a sense of security and increase tissue pliability, but acute injuries should follow the RICE principle. I wouldn't recommend trying to play the second half....

    Hope this helps

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