When treating a sports injury, people turn to heat to promote healing. When treating an injury, both warmth and ice cold can help, depending on the type of injury. We’ve all reached for a bag of peas from the freezer to sooth an affected area. Sometimes a hot gel wrap feels great. The question is, do you apply a hot or cold compress? Each have their benefits, depending on the type and timing of the injury. And did you know the Kneader makes the perfect hot or cold compress alternative? In this article, we’ll tell you how you can use the Kneader to apply cold to an acute injury at just the right time.
Treating a sports injury with a cold compress alternative
An acute injury has happened recently, usually with 48 hours and is the result of a sudden trauma, just as tripping over or banging into something. Symptoms may include pain, tenderness, the skin getting warm or reddening, and swelling. The recommended treatment for these injuries is to apply cold to the area. Most people reach for the freezer, for ice cubes or bag of frozen veg! Applying cold is most effective if applied early, with the first 48 hours, to discourage swelling and numb the pain.
Ice should be applied with caution. Avoid applying it directly and for prolonged periods of time, to avoid frostbite. Wrap the ice in a thin towel or cloth, so that the ice doesn’t cause damage to the skin.
You can also use the Kneader as a cold compress alternative. It can withstand being put in the freezer, so leave it in there for a few minutes to cool it down, then apply to the skin. The advantage of using the Kneader is that the finger holes warm up quickly as the Kneader is thin there, so your fingers don’t get too cold. The larger arch takes longer to cool down, so you can not just put pressure on the area, but massage it at well.
So next time you have an acute injury, give peas a chance and leave them in the freezer. Pop the Kneader in there instead, and then sooth the pain away!
