Ask Dr. Barre

[maryschurr]

Any recommendations for an injured knee? He dropped about 40lbs on it a few hours ago. In the past I have alternated hot and cold compresses. But, it seems like I have read that heat is better? Was it @amandha? Not sure. Seems like I once read they used ice to get athletes back on the field by reducing the swelling but that the inflammation (heat) is actually doing it’s work to heal or something like that?? He does have a couple of “goose eggs” on it, but he can move it. He continued to work and drove home. Thank you for any thoughts you have. Lots of opinions out there! This is not the leg that had the DVT 2 years ago.

Discussion

[Hulda]

Swelling is of course nature’s way of splinting, so reduce it with caution. Cold for reducing swelling, heat for furthering healing. Too much cold can retard circulation, which is how nature heals. First cold then heat is a rule of thumb.

[Lobo Blanco]

Typically for me, first 24 hours, cold on/off, just to keep the swelling somewhat in check, after that I typically alternate hot/cold to increase circulation of the blood. I was once treated with cold laser, that gave me ROBUST/accelerated healing, but that was 15 years ago, not sure what Dr. Barre would suggest today. Good luck…hope he gets his wheels back quickly…

[Jena]

new science….body swells to clean debris and bring construction crew in….heat a bit to encourage fast repair…ice may feel better now…..but blocks progress…leading fascia to improvise with more scar adhesions inside, with years of discomfort and loss of flexibility….so leave alone or just gentle heat aids genuine repair.

[Author]

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