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- $Unique_ID{BRK02031}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{The Correct Treatment of Muscle Injuries: Hot or Cold?}
- $Subject{muscle injuries backs back pain warm baths heat heating pads cold ice
- muscle tissue circulation analgesic analgesics swelling}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Muscles of the Back*0005003.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- The Correct Treatment of Muscle Injuries: Hot or Cold?
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-
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-
- QUESTION: Recently several of my coworkers have injured their backs in
- non-work related accidents, and this led to quite a bit of discussion about
- proper treatment. Without boring you with details, the debate boils down to
- this: For muscle injuries, like sore or injured (muscular, not skeletal)
- backs, is it best to apply heat (warm baths, heating pads) or cold (ice)?
- Thank you.
-
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-
- ANSWER: Not an infrequent discussion, for this question keeps coming back
- like a song. And I keep trying to settle all the debates. Specifically, for
- the condition you mention, heat is the treatment of choice. The muscle tissue
- have been injured and you want to increase the circulation to the area for
- that will speed the healing process. Two other elements of treatment are a
- bit of rest for those muscles and an analgesic if the pain is a bit too much
- to bear. Cold is indicated for those situations where there is a possibility
- of swelling, like an injured joint, and even that is used for but the first
- day following injury, after which heat is applied again to increase
- circulation and advance healing.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-