Do you often find yourself sore after working out? Are you looking for a new way to soothe your aching muscles? Elastogel may be the answer. Elastogel All Purpose Wrap is a type of gel that is similar to rubber, but it is made of elastic materials. This makes it an excellent option for people who are looking for a non-damaging way to reduce muscle pain and inflammation. It can also be used to help with recovery after surgery or injury.

People can frequently use hot and cold therapy, which is a less costly, easily delivered pain-relieving technique used to treat sports injuries, repetitive use injuries, and other conditions caused by damage to major muscle groups and joints.

Using heat therapy involves heating pads, hot water bottles, or immersion in warm baths. Cold therapy uses cold packs, cool water, or cold compresses. But using either of these treatments to treat particular physical ailments is difficult to determine. In many cases, heat and cold therapies complement each other.

Cold therapy

Cold therapy restricts the circulation of blood in an injured location to decelerate the inflammatory process and minimize the swelling and damage done. It also numbs the injured tissues, acts as a local anesthetic, and relieves pain signals to communicate to the brain. Ice can quickly treat a swollen and inflamed joint or muscle. For best results, apply ice or an Elastogel Cold Pack to a symptomatic area within 48 hours of the injury.

Heat therapy

Heat packs can be dry or moist. Dry heat can be used to heat slings for eight hours, while moist heat can be applied to slings for two hours. Moist heat is believed to act faster than dry heat. It can be used to heat areas for 20 minutes, up to three times a day, unless otherwise indicated.

Alternating Heat and Cold Therapy

Ice and heat both have healing effects that when used together may offer pain relief. Occasionally, deciding between the two of them may not provide sufficient relief, which is where contrast therapy comes into play. With this method, you can reduce inflammation, stimulate circulation, loosen tight muscles, and reduce pain.

An Elastogel All Purpose Hot and Cold Therapy pack is a useful thing to have at hand while alternating between cold and hot therapies. Freeze it for cold therapy or warm it in a microwave for heat. 

The Benefits of Ice for Injury

Administering ice or very cold temperatures in a soothing capacity is known as cryotherapy. It is efficient because it is anticipated to cause vascular constriction or contraction of the blood vessels. Muscle contractions are decreased, inflammation is addressed, and sensitivity is lowered. Cryotherapy may, in fact, make muscle tension and spasms worse.

The Benefits of Heat for Injury

It works opposite to that of vasoconstricting agents, which increase blood circulation by reducing vascular resistance. This leads to a reduction of pain and alleviation of cramping or aching areas of the body. It also draws required nutrients (via blood) into the affected area to facilitate the recovery and healing of the damaged cells, assisting in the elimination of waste matter. Heat therapy applies to the same issues as cold therapy in achieving vasodilation. Unlike ice, heat can actually exacerbate inflammation.

Wraps and compresses are most effective when alternating hot and cold therapy for head and upper extremity, wrist, forearm, knee, cheek, and other smaller body-related pain.

Wondering If You Can Use Heat or Ice to Soothe Pain? 

There are a couple of things to bear in mind if you are thinking about using cold and hot treatments to relieve pain.

1. Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures may cause muscle tension and increased muscle contraction.
2. Too much heat may promote more inflammation.
3. Stay hydrated. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can dehydrate you.
4. If you are experiencing bruising and swelling, you will most likely use cold therapy.
5. Cold therapy should not be used on stiff muscles or joints or if you have poor circulation.
6. Both cold and hot therapy should also not be used on people who have sensory disorders without professional supervision. If the person cannot feel the cold or heat, this could be dangerous, causing burns or damage.
7. Heat therapy should not be used on people with diabetes, dermatitis, vascular diseases, deep vein thrombosis or multiple sclerosis (unless with medical supervision). If you are pregnant or have hypertension, also seek medical advice first.
8. Do not apply these therapies to open wounds

The alternating hot and cold therapy offers many benefits aside from heat and cold alone, but it is encouraged to be avoided prior to suffering from a severe injury or certain diseases. Most people find this therapy to be particularly effective for lessening inflammation, loosening muscles, and providing natural pain relief.

Elastogel therapy wraps are the best way to keep your cold and cold therapy needs in check. These wraps are made from a material that is both flexible and elastic, making them the perfect choice for people who suffer from conditions like arthritis and joint pain. Elastogel therapy wraps can help to reduce inflammation and improve the patient’s range of motion, all while providing soothing warmth. 

Elastogel Therapy Wraps are available on elastogels.com, a website that offers a variety of medical products including Elastogel All Purpose wraps, Elastogel Knee wrap, and Elastogel Sinus Mask, Elastogel Multi-Purpose wrap, and many more. You may visit the website or call us at 770-441-9808 and we will be more than happy to assist you!