Hot and Cold Treatment for Arthritis

There are many types of arthritis that can affect people.  The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease.  Osteoarthritis refers to the breaking down of the cartilage that helps cushion and support the joints.  Osteoarthritis is particularly common in people over fifty-five, and it is estimated that by age sixty-five, 60% of patients will have clinical signs of degenerative joint disease.  These signs include stiffness of the joints, inflammation of the joints, aching of the joints, and soreness of the joints especially after long periods of movement or overuse.  The joints that are most commonly affected include the small joints of the fingers and toes, as well as the weight bearing joints, such as the hip and knee 

            Some treatments that have been shown to help ease the pain of osteoarthritis include heat therapy and cold therapy.  These two methods work by stimulating the body’s natural healing powers.  Heat therapy works by dilating the blood vessels, which stimulates the body’s blood circulation.  Heat also helps alter the perception of pain.  Cold therapy works in a different manner.  The cold helps reduce swelling by constricting the blood vessels to the joints.  It also helps numb the pain of arthritis. 

            There are two ways of using heat therapy for arthritic pain – dry and wet.  Dry therapy includes things like heating blankets and microwaveable heat packs.  Wet therapy usually refers to a hot bath or shower, a washcloth soaked in hot water, or a whirl pool or sauna.  However, people with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or high blood pressure are warned against hot tubs and saunas. 

            Cold therapy has also been shown to be effective against joint pain from osteoarthritis.  A cold pack can be used, or a bag of ice.  Some people use a spray such as flouromethane, which creates a superficial cooling on the skin.  This helps numb the pain, and can be particularly useful on areas that are hard to keep a bag of ice on, such as the backs of the knees. 

            Different people have different results with hot and cold therapy.  In face, some people have the best results with mixing the two therapies, often alternating between hot and cold.  If you suffer from arthritis, talk to your doctor about the possibility of incorporating hot and cold therapy into your arthritis treatment.  

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com