Properly using ice and hot water can help you recover faster from a knock, for example. Ice can be used up to 48 hours after an injection, and in case of toothache, knock, twisting, knee pain and falls, while hot water can be used when there is pain in the spine, purple spots on the skin, pimples, boils and torticollis, for example.
The ice decreases the blood flow of the region, helps to disinfect and has analgesic effect that begins after 5 minutes of use. Hot water promotes blood vessel dilation and decreases muscle tension, promoting relaxation.
Watch the video to find out when to use ice or hot water:
When to use ice
Ice packs are great for relieving pain after a blow, such as during a football game, for example, but should be avoided for use on the back, chest and belly.
After the race, what you can do is take a bath with very cold water or put on a cold compress, if you feel any pain in the knee or ankle, for example. Ice is also a great choice for those who suffer from tendinitis.
To make a cold compress at home, simply wrap a bag of frozen vegetables, for example, in a towel or cloth and apply in the sore area for 15 to 20 minutes.
Another possibility is to mix 1 part alcohol with 2 parts water and put it in a ziploc bag and leave it in the freezer. The contents should not be completely frozen and molded as needed. The mode of use is the same.
When to use hot water
Compresses made with warm water are great for relieving muscle soreness that arises over time and is especially suitable for putting on the back or chest, although it can be placed in any region of the body, as long as it does not have a fever, to increase the temperature.
How to use hot water
The warm compress can be used 3 to 4 times a day for 15 to 20 minutes, but should always be wrapped in a cloth diaper or other thin fabric, so that it does not burn the skin.
How to make a hot compress at home
To make a hot compress at home, just use a pillowcase and 1 kg of dry grains, like rice or beans, for example. The beans should be placed inside the pillow case, tie well to form a backpack, heat in the microwave for about 3 to 5 minutes, allow to mix and apply in the painful region for 15 to 20 minutes.
If even when using ice or hot water the pain does not diminish or even intensify you should go to the doctor to have tests that can identify if there was the cause of the pain, which may be a fracture, for example.
