Cold and Hot Therapy are among the most common treatments used for immediate and chronic injuries.  The question that most people have is – which is the right treatment and for how long should that treatment be applied?

The following provides some guidelines and information for answering these questions.

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ICE an Injury

Let’s start with an immediate injury, such as a sprain or strain. With these types of injuries, follow the protocol commonly known as R.I.C.E:
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

As soon as the injury occurs, stop doing any activity that utilizes the injured area.  If an injury occurs to a lower limb or knee, try to keep weight off your leg and walk as little as possible.

Apply cold therapy to the injured area as soon as possible.  Keep the ice pack on the injured area for 15 to no more than 20 minutes.  Often, using the ThermoActive™ support will only require 10 minutes for an effective treatment.

Applying cold treatment for more than 20 minutes can actually injure you further by causing tissue damage or frostbite.

Wait 45 minutes before applying the next ice treatment.  Apply the treatment a few times a day for the 1st 3 days.

Keeping the injured area elevated will also help to reduce swelling and decrease pain.

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Heat an Injury

Use Heat therapy to treat chronic injuries such as muscle strains.  The purpose of the heat therapy is to loosen up tight muscles and tissues and to help relax the injured areas and joints.  Do NOT use heat if there is swelling in the area, since this will increase blood flow.

Apply heat to the injured area for 20 minutes approximately 4 times a day.  If a new injury occured that required cold treatment, begin hot therapy on the 4th day after the injury occurred, provided that swelling does not exist.

 

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Contraindications

PolyGel® recommends consulting your physician before using any compression therapy.  Compression therapy devices, such as ThermoActive™, should not be used if you have any of the following conditions:

• Poor blood circulation
• Open wounds
• Sensitive skin
• Using transdermal drug delivery skin patches, creams, balms, liniments or lotions.
• Using pacemakers or insulin pumps
• Pregnant
• Do not use heat where there is swelling, redness, or immediately after the injury occurs.
• Inflammatory phlebitis
• At risk or have a history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus.
• Arteriosclerosis or other vascular conditions.
• Hypertonia
• Hemoglobin disorders.
• Do not the use product if the Gel Pack is damaged or leaking

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