I am often asked when to use hot or cold therapy and what happens to the body during this process; below is an overview that will explain all:
Heat therapy has shown to increase local blood flow and subsequently oxygen levels are increased, this creates an increase in muscle elasticity, increased metabolite production and reduced muscle spasm. Some studies have suggested that for the physiologic effects to take place the muscle temperature must reach at least 40 °C.
The application of heat is used in older/chronic situations when there are NO signs of inflammation (heat, redness, swelling, pain). The length of time may vary from 20-40 minutes, however it is important to have a break between the applications as this allows your body to adapt to the changes of the increased blood supply.
Cold therapy results in constriction of blood vessels which decreases swelling and inflammation that is commonly associated with acute injuries. This can help with limiting the degree of the injury by slowing down the rate of the inflammatory process. The application of cold therapy is commonly used after an injury that results in inflammation (symptoms include: pain, swelling, redness and heat). The application of this therapy may vary from 10-20 minutes depending on the depth of the tissue that requires treatment.
Hot and cold therapy combines the benefits of the above two treatments, in general this method is used after the acute phase of tissue healing. This method can also be used to stimulate old/chronic strain patterns when the ratios and methods of application are tweaked. The application varies with regards to methods and time frames and ranges from using: submersion, packs or hot and cold showers. The timing of intervals vary in ratio from 5 seconds to 10 minutes, this varies depending on the individual case and what they need. For this one it is best to consult your osteopath to see what will work best for you.