Is hot or cold better for swollen feet?
Generally, cold therapy should be used for acute injuries and foot pain as ice constricts blood vessels and swelling. Heat has the opposite effect. Applying heat to an area increases blood flow and relaxes the muscles and encourages an extended range of motion.
What is better for swelling hot or cold?
Ice wins to shut down swelling, inflammation and pain early on where heat may actually make an injury worse.” If you're dealing with lingering injuries (older than 6 weeks) then it's okay to use heat. The increased blood flow relaxes tight muscles and relieves aching joints.
Is hot water good for foot swelling?
For your swollen feet, contrast bath therapy is done by immersing the feet in a tub of hot water (not boiling). Soak for 10 minutes and quickly switch to cold water and soak for another 10 minutes. Lastly, switch back to the hot water and soak for 5 more minutes.
Should I ice or heat first?
The roles of ice and heat But which to use? Rule of thumb for most injuries: Ice first, heat later. But avoid using them in tandem except as directed by a health care provider, Jake said. Most injuries cause your body to react with inflammation and swelling.
How do I reduce swelling quickly?
Applying an ice-pack or cold compress to an injury is the fastest way to deal with immediate swelling. It helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow to the area and slowing down cellular metabolism. Cold therapy systems and ice baths are other methods you can use to apply cold to the area.
Does cold water help swelling?
According to medical experts, the reason cold water helps with pain is that it causes your blood vessels to constrict. This reduces blood flow to the area — for example, an injury you're applying ice to — which helps reduce swelling and inflammation.
Is ice good for swollen feet?
Treatment. To treat a foot or ankle injury, a person should elevate the foot when possible and try not to bear weight on the affected leg. Using an ice pack or compression bandage can help reduce swelling, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease discomfort.
Does ice help with swelling?
Using a cold compress or ice pack on a strained muscle can decrease inflammation and numb pain in the area. Icing is effective at reducing pain and swelling because the cold constricts blood vessels and decreases circulation to the area.