Category: Therapies

Most people have used heat at one time to sooth normal aches and pains — such as the use of a hot bath, a heating pad or even an old-fashioned water bottle.

Even today, these types of heat therapy play an important role in chiropractic practice to increase circulation and relax the muscles. At the same time, heat therapy can help reduce pain.

Types of Heat Therapy

The types of heat therapy vary, from simple methods such as the use of warm wraps and heating pads to more advanced techniques such as the use of therapeutic ultrasound. All of these, though, are designed to relax muscles and promote healing.

Some of the most common heat therapies used by chiropractors include:

• Moist heat packs. These are applied over several layers of towels to prevent burning of the skin.
• Warm whirlpool bath. This technique involves a combination of immersion in heated water and massage from water jets; this may be combined with movements in the water.
• Paraffin bath. The hands, wrists, elbows, ankles or feet are dipped in paraffin wax to soothe chronic injuries.
• Fluidotherapy. This method is a dry technique, involving the use of hot air containing cellulose particles that is circulated over the skin.

Benefits of Heat Therapy

Heat has long been used for its healing and soothing benefits. But heat therapy may provide other benefits, such as:

• Increased blood flow
• Reduced inflammation
• Relief from muscle spasms
• Decreased stiffness in joints
• Pain relief

Heat therapy can also be used before other healing therapies, including stretching, exercise, massage and physical adjustments. The heat can increase how easily scar tissue or tight joints will move.

How Heat Therapy Works

Some muscle spasms are caused by a lack of blood flow to the tissues. Heat applied to the area can bring more blood to the tissues, along with extra oxygen and glucose needed by the cells.

Heat therapy also reduces inflammation and swelling by speeding up the activity of the cells, lowering the pH inside the cells and stimulating the release of helpful chemicals. These chemicals cause the blood vessels to widen, allowing more blood flow to the injured, inflamed or painful tissues.

Although heat therapy can improve many symptoms, some people may experience negative side effects after treatment. They may experience greater pain, achiness or stiffness. If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your chiropractor, who may suggest other treatments.

Applying ice after an injury is a common method for reducing pain and swelling. It is especially effective for athletes, who often experience sudden, painful injuries. This type of cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, is used by chiropractors for the same purposes.

Types of Cold Therapy

Many types of cold therapy are available to reduce pain and swelling after an injury, including the use of:

• Ice packs
• Ice massage
• Slush bucket (half water, half crushed ice)
• Whirlpool with ice water
• Cold wet towels

Benefits of Cold Therapy

Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to narrow, which reduces the flow of blood into an area. As a result, cold therapy:

• Reduces swelling and pain after injury
• Slows movement of fluid into tissues
• Reduces the amount of chemicals that cause inflammation in injured tissue
• Reduces bleeding
• Slows the movement of pain signals from nerves
• Decreases muscle spasms by reducing the contraction of muscles

Cold therapy may also keep cells in the injured area from dying due to the lack of oxygen. This is because an injury can reduce blood flow — and oxygen — to the area. However, cold therapy slows the activity of cells, which reduces how much oxygen they need to stay alive.

Tips for Best Cold Therapy

For cold therapy to work, cold packs should be applied as soon as possible. Pain and inflammation are common within 72 hours after an injury.

To avoid frostbite, cold packs should be applied for only 10 minutes at a time, with breaks of at least an hour in between. The ice can be applied several times a day, for three or four days after an injury — or as directed by your chiropractor.

Also, cold packs should never be applied directly to the skin. Instead, a towel should be placed between the skin and cold pack.

Cold therapy may not be appropriate for everyone. Some people respond to cold temperatures by breaking out in hives or developing pain in the joints.

If you have questions about cold therapy or think you might benefit from this type of treatment, please contact our office to schedule an appointment and receive more information.

Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), uses light to treat various conditions. Unlike other types of laser light, cold laser therapy does not produce heat or vibration in the parts of the body being treated.

Many therapists, including chiropractors and physical therapists, use cold laser therapy to treat conditions such as joint disorders, low back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

How Cold Laser Therapy Works

During treatment, the light source for the cold laser therapy is pressed against the skin. The light passes through the skin to reach the tissue that is being treated. Unlike surgical lasers, cold laser therapy does not cut the skin.

Doctors do not know exactly how cold laser therapy works. It is thought that as the body’s tissues absorb the light, it is converted into another type of energy. This may stimulate the natural healing process in the cells.

It also increases the flow of blood and lymph (fluid in the body outside the blood vessels) in the area being treated.

The treatments are painless, and you will be awake during the entire session. Afterwards, you will be able to return to your regular activities immediately.

You may require more than one treatment to receive the full benefits. Some people may also need two to four treatments per week. The total number of treatments depends upon the problem being addressed and how severe it is.

Conditions Treated With Cold Laser Therapy

Chiropractors use cold laser therapy to treat many different conditions, such as:

• Pain. This treatment works for pain caused by injury, aging or genetic problems.
• Wounds. Cold laser therapy may speed up the healing of wounds.
• Injuries. Certain injuries that involve the muscles and bones may benefit from this type of therapy.
• Inflammation. Cold laser therapy opens up the blood and lymph vessels. This may reduce swelling and speed up the healing process.
• Bruises. Increased flow of blood and lymph may help bruises heal faster.
• Sports injuries. Many athletes undergo cold laser therapy to help them recover from sports injuries, including muscle strains, pulled hamstring and plantar fasciitis.

To find out if cold laser therapy will work for you, contact your chiropractor today.