It may be used alongside medications, physical therapy, and other interventions.
What’s Better for Osteoarthritis?
People living with osteoarthritis often try heat or cold applications to relieve symptoms.
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Heat can be conveniently delivered by using heating pads, hot towels, paraffin wax, or warm baths.
Deciding when to useheat vs. cold therapyis the key.
They were compared to a control group receiving no treatment.
Ice packs had no significant effect on knee pain and were useful for reducing knee swelling.
Hot packs did not reduce swelling.
If you wish to try cold or heat, discuss it with your healthcare provider.
But, start with your healthcare provider for advice specific to your situation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Osteoarthritis.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management.
Fokmare PS Jr, Phansopkar P.A Review on Osteoarthritis Knee Management via Contrast Bath Therapy and Physical Therapy.Cureus.
2022 Jul 27;14(7):e27381.
2003;4(CD004522).
