Ice or heat for your aching knee?
Today we will be discussing the knee and how to take remedial actions when we feel pain in this important joint of our body.
Both ice and heat may come to the rescue; as we have often explained on our blog, it all depends on the type of pain we are trying to relieve.
We will find out more about knee pain and when to use ice or heat with an article on guthrie.org.
Ice or heat for your aching knee?
More than a simple joint, when we speak of the knee, we are referring to a joint complex that joins the thigh and leg.
The knee is an essential joint that allows us to move, run, play sports, etc.
When you hurt your knee, the pain is very intense and bothersome.
A knee injury limits mobility and this is why it must be resolved without delay - or, if it is serious, solutions must be identified immediately to resume walking as soon as possible.
Not only accidental situations, but also chronic conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia can cause pain in knee joints and muscles.
In a word, when should heat or the beneficial action of ice be used to relieve knee pain?
Ice or heat for your aching knee? Knee pain: when to use ice
Ice is usually utilised when the injury is sudden and the pain intense and sharp.
Applying an ice pack or frozen gel pack and resting it on the aching knee will:
- reduce blood flow;
- relieve pain and inflammation;
- reduce swelling.
Ice is a very effective remedy when used immediately
It is a true panacea against pain immediately after an injury: applied for 20 minutes at various times during the day is enough to see the first improvements immediately.
Listen to your body and pay attention to its reactions: if you feel discomfort when applying the ice pack or find your skin to be too irritated or reddened, remove it immediately and consult your trusted doctor.
Do not leave the ice pack on for too long: the skin could be exposed to the risk of frostbite.
Ice or heat for your aching knee? Knee pain: when to use heat
Heat therapy is indicated when the individual is suffering from chronic pain.
Through the beneficial action of heat, blood flow increases, oxygen and nutrients reach the aching joints more quickly, healing them.
Use a hot pack or gel pack heated in the microwave or in hot water and wrap it in a soft, dry cloth.
The action of heat also relieves tension in tense muscles and acts on muscle spasms, calming them and offering immediate relief.
As stressed above for ice packs, hot packs should also be handled with care and held on the aching knee for no more than 10 to 20 minutes at a time, opportunely protected from direct contact with the skin.
There is the risk of causing dangerous - and painful - burns.
If the pain in your knee does not improve after using heat or ice for a few days, or if you are unable to place your foot on the ground to walk, you should call your doctor and begin the normal routine of examinations that will allow you to find both a diagnosis and the healing treatment.
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