Heat and cold therapy for arthritis

Arthritis is a condition which causes the damage to the joints of the body in the form of inflammation. There are more than 100 forms of arthritis and the most of the individuals complain about the pain in the joints. There are different treatments available for arthritis and one of them is heat and cold therapy. The arthritis specialists mentions that both hot and cold therapy helps to reduce the inflammation and pain, but trial and error method is done to finalize which therapy works fine for the individuals.

Heat therapy enlarges the blood vessels and thereby it increases the blood flow. This reduces the muscular spasms and provides relief for pain. Dry heat is applied in the form of heat pad or lamps whereas hot water bath and heated wash clothes provide wet heat. Heat is applied for 20 minutes about 3 times a day. Cold therapy uses ice packs as they reduce the inflammation. Cold packs are kept in the inflamed areas for 4-6 times per day. These cold packs could be uncomfortable in the beginning, but it acts like an anesthetic and takes away the pain. The right combination of both hot and cold therapy gives better results and the individual can comfortably manage the arthritis.

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