When do you use what?

You've probably experienced it before: an intensive workout behind you and suddenly your calf, knee, shoulder or another body part is painful. In that case, you can go two ways. Either you choose heat therapy. Or cold therapy. It is important to treat your injury in the right way. But which temperature works for which injury?

Hot vs. cold

Heat creates more space in the blood vessels.

The result? Increased blood flow. Oxygen and nutrients find their way through our body more quickly. And that in turn ensures optimal flexibility and mobility of joints and muscles.

The other side of the story: Cold constricts dilated blood vessels and reduces blood flow. This reduces pain and swelling shrinks faster during the first 72 hours after the injury.

Heat therapy: do's and don'ts

Warmed muscles bring several benefits.

Your muscle fibers relax, which reduces muscle tension. In other words: you become more flexible again. Due to a reduction in synovial fluid, the resistance in your joint zones decreases. Your pain decreases. Enough reasons to try heat therapy. But then only in the following three situations:

• for persistent joint pain and stiffness caused by arthritis in chronic conditions;
• from 72 hours after injury (after the acute phase);
• before warming up during exercise.

You would be better off opting for a different treatment in these cases:

• in the 72 hours after sustaining an injury (during the acute phase): in case of sprains, strains, knee injuries, fractures or dislocations;
• open wounds;
• if you suffer from poor blood circulation.

Cold therapy: do's and don'ts

Cold treatment of an injury drastically reduces swelling, which reduces the intensity of pain. Cooled muscles and blood vessels also do wonders for inflammation. Pain signals in the nerve pathways are numbed in this way and cramps and muscle tension are reduced.

Cold is useful for recently sustained injuries such as:

• growing pains: caused by pressure due to differences in growth rates of muscles and joints;
• overload: by repeatedly performing (too) heavy actions during a certain movement;
• bruises: in case of a subcutaneous tear of a blood vessel;
• sprains: due to overstretching of ligaments.

In these cases it is best not to use cold therapy:

• treatment of chronic diseases;
• open wounds;
• before exercise: you increase the risk of muscle and/or tendon strains.

Hot and cold packs: two birds with one stone

At Révvi we don't make things more difficult than they are!
Warming up muscles and other body parts? Or cooling down your muscles and letting them recover?
Our multifunctional hot and cold packs are the perfect solution. They are reusable, comfortable and adapt to the shape of your body.The high quality of the packs ensures a long lifespan. Cooling is done in the freezer, heating in the microwave or with warm water. Once the pack has reached your preferred temperature, you can continue for twenty to thirty minutes. Use a thin layer of fabric between your skin and the pack, a towel or piece of clothing for example. This prevents the chance of new wounds!

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