From the Guidelines
For hot and cold therapy after an injury, apply cold for 20 to 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times daily, for the first 24-72 hours to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain, as recommended by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. The application of cold therapy, such as with ice and water surrounded by a damp cloth, can acutely decrease pain and swelling in joint sprains and muscle strains, with the greatest tissue cooling achieved by using this method 1. Key considerations for cold therapy include:
- Limiting the duration of cold application to 20 to 30 minutes per session 1
- Applying cold therapy 3 to 4 times daily 1
- Avoiding direct contact of ice with the skin to prevent cold injury 1 After the initial acute phase, typically 2-3 days post-injury, heat therapy can be considered to promote healing by increasing blood flow to the injured area, although the optimal timing and duration of heat therapy are not well-established in the provided guidelines. It is essential to prioritize the patient's comfort and safety, avoiding activities that cause pain and seeking medical attention if necessary, as outlined in the guidelines 1.
From the Research
Fermentation Duration After Injury
- The duration of hot and cold fermentation after injury is not directly addressed in the provided studies, as they focus on the effects of heat and cold therapy on pain reduction and recovery from exercise or injury.
- However, the studies suggest that the timing of heat and cold therapy application can impact their effectiveness in reducing pain and promoting recovery 2, 3, 4.
- For example, one study found that cold therapy applied within 1 hour after exercise can reduce pain within 24 hours, while heat therapy can reduce pain within and beyond 24 hours 4.
- Another study found that the combination of heat and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation can improve pressure pain threshold values, but does not reduce pain scores in patients with chronic low back pain 5.
Heat and Cold Therapy Application
- The studies provide evidence on the application of heat and cold therapy for pain relief, but do not specifically address the concept of "fermentation duration" after injury.
- Heat therapy can increase blood flow, metabolism, and elasticity of connective tissues, while cold therapy can reduce pain, blood flow, edema, inflammation, muscle spasm, and metabolic demand 3.
- The optimal duration of heat and cold therapy application is not clearly established, but studies suggest that repeated applications may be necessary to achieve desired effects 2, 4.
Limitations and Future Research
- The provided studies highlight the need for more research on the effects of heat and cold therapy on recovery from acute musculoskeletal injury and delayed-onset muscle soreness 3, 4.
- Further studies are needed to determine the optimal duration and timing of heat and cold therapy application for pain relief and recovery after injury 2, 4, 5.