How Do I Know Whether to Use Ice or Heat For Injury?

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How Do I Know Whether to Use Ice or Heat For Injury?

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Although altering the temperature of an injury or painful area can be quite beneficial to the healing process, knowing when to apply ice or heat can be confusing. It is necessary to understand the effect each has on the body,

The application of heat increases the circulation of blood and decreases tension in muscles and ligaments.  Heat applications are advantageous for the relief of chronic muscle or ligament tension.

Ice or cold packs applied to the body decrease the flow of blood, decrease swelling from acute or recent strain or injury, decrease pain nerve impulse transmission, and increase muscle and ligament tension. Application of ice is desirable during periods of acute injury in which strain and sprain have occurred.

It is generally best to apply heat to areas of chronic tension in the absence of recent swelling. It becomes confusing when muscle and ligament tension occurs in the same area as joint swelling. In these instances, it is best to apply heat to the area of muscle tension and ice to the area of swelling. Heat is generally more beneficial for muscle spasm than ice. When unusual or strenuous physical activity is followed with back, neck, shoulder, or other joint pain, ice is preferred.

Be sure to contact Chiropractic Orthopedic Group at 916-933-2707 if you are unsure about applying ice or heat, and for instruction on proper application. Dr. Meltz can advise you on what is best for you, and can also determine if you would benefit from chiropractic treatment.

Bless and Be Blessed ALWAYS,

Lewis Meltz

Questions about Chiropractic Care? Watch this short video.

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4- Tips to Get Welcome Relief

Back Pain: 4- Tips to Get Welcome Relief

Chiropractors are experts in the conservative treatment of the joints, especially the spine along with nerves, and muscles —which makes up about 60% of your body.  Optimal function is necessary for overall good health and vitality.  Do you suffer from chronic back pain?  Does it affect your daily life?  Do you often avoid exercise or other activities because of your back pain?  Does it cause you to sit more than you should?  You aren't alone.  Because five percent of Americans miss at least 1 day of work annually because of low-back pain, (LBP).  While more than 80 percent of workers who report an episode of low-back pain return to work within 1 month, more than 90 percent return to their usual activities within 3 months.  Back pain is a common problem. Read on to find out if you can solve your chronic back pain now!

 Our goal for you is this:

• Understand the mechanism  of your back pain
• Identify ways to prevent recurrence of your back pain
• Improve conservative and other non-surgical treatments for your back pain
• Prevent lasting disability if you’ve suffered with LBP for more than 3 months. 

Once your initial back pain begins to subside, try going for a walk as soon as you can.  A short walk is fine, around the block or down the street and back perhaps, maybe less.  Don't carry anything and keep your head up. This kind of gentle exercise can reduce back spasms and improve your mood. If the walk doesn't reduce or eliminate the pain, it will at least take your mind off of it. Then, avoid prolonged sitting at all costs, here’s why:  

You'll live longer.  Because the risk of death from any cause increases with the amount of time spent sitting. 

In order to help prevent back discomfort from occurring, make sure you use chairs properly. For example, many office chairs have controls for adjusting the height and position of the seat back part of the chair. Utilize these controls to ensure you are getting the most comfortable, back-friendly position possible when using these chairs.  Remember 90 degree angles are best.  Your feet should be 90 degrees with your legs, your thighs and hips 90 degrees with your torso.  

Avoid lifting while reaching, and lifting while twisting or anything that is too far away from you. Always move closer to the object and do not twist around to grab something like in the back seat of a car, or reaching into an awkward space for example. Do not extend from the couch and reach for things that are too far away either.

Strengthening your muscles is as important to healing from a back injury as it is to preventing future injury. That said, people who already experience back pain should not engage in exercises that put undue strain on their injured muscles. For that reason, walking briskly every day is the best way to work through injuries while also working all the muscles in your body to prevent future injuries.

As you know, if you sufferer from chronic back discomfort, the pain alone can negatively impact your life and cause you to have trouble with daily activities. Now that you know what can be done to fix your back pain, you may be able to solve this and improve your quality of life!

One simple method is a series of chiropractic adjustments known as manipulation.  Eight to twelve visits in the course of 4 to 6 weeks.  Spinal manipulation refers to the use of a specific force in a precise direction applied to a joint that’s fixed or “locked-up.” and helps normalize spinal movement.  Adjustments help return bones to a more normal motion, and helps relieve pain and subsequently the ill health resulting from it.  Osteopathic doctors and chiropractors use their hands to mobilize, adjust, massage, or stimulate the spine and supporting muscles. This kind of treatment tends to be most effective in people with uncomplicated pain and when used with other therapies such as exercise.

Bless, and be blessed ALWAYS,

Lewis Meltz