Heat therapy is an alternative therapy solution used for many injuries; however, you must be careful to know when to use heat therapy. It is not usually recommended for acute injuries. After the swelling, redness and bleeding has stopped, usually after 24 to 48 hours, heat therapy may be applied. Always consult with your doctor before any treatment plan. When you are dealing with an acute injury, you usually need ice to stop swelling, redness and bleeding for the first 24 to 48 hours. Once the swelling has gone down, the redness has gone away and there is clearly no bleeding, you may appreciate the comfort of heat therapy.
If you have fallen, or been hit by a hard object, sprained or strained a limb or your back, you should begin with cold therapy for the first day or two but then turn to heat therapy. Put ice on the injured area. Once the swelling has gone down, there is no more bleeding, and the redness has gone away usually within a day or two, you may still feel pain at the site of the injury. Ice is no longer needed and heat may offer you relief from pain and discomfort. Some of the benefits of heat are the reduction of pain and stiffness, the increase of blood flow which promotes healing and the decrease in muscle spasms in the area surrounding the injury. Heat therapy is a natural alternative therapy to reduce pain and discomfort. You don't always need medication to treat pain and discomfort. Find out more about heat therapy to see if this might be the right pain management treatment for you.
For more information about heat therapy products, pain relief, sleep solutions and aromatherapy go to: http://www.yourexcellencewithin.org/services There are alternatives to prescription drugs. We are a society that turns to drugs first. Sometimes, the prescriptions you place in your body can trigger all types of adverse side affects. You may want to check out Alternative Therapies Solutions first.
About this Author
Madelynan Doyle is a licensed Counselor who has been working in New York City since 1981. Ms. Doyle can always find a positive spin on life lessons. Ms. Doyle is solution oriented. There are no "problems" only challenges which offers opportunity for growth, Ms. Doyle enjoys helping people find their own power and create their own destinies and welcomes you to her website inviting you to join in her E-Counseling and Personal Growth community at http://www.YourExcellenceWithin.org/articles
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