When you suffer an injury, home care will be a major part of your treatment. The first thing that you do is to rest and put ice on your injury. Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, can help with your injury using non-invasive treatments that provide accelerated healing and pain relief. 

Using ice

In the first 48 hours after an injury, in most cases, the option to use will be ice. Ice reduces swelling and has a numbing effect that helps reduce the pain, but the numbing is short-term and better suited for an acute injury than chronic pain. When cold is applied, it also reduces blood flow, which is important if the injury involves a cut or broken skin. 

Keep in mind that the skin needs to be protected from the ice. Don't apply ice directly to the skin; make sure you have something between the ice and the skin to avoid damage. 

Using heat

Heat can have a place in the treatment of injuries, depending on the type of injury. When heat is applied, it increases blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients the cells need to regenerate. It also helps with joint stiffness and soreness in muscles, as well as muscle spasms. Using a heating pad on an aching back is a common home remedy. What causes pain in the muscles after exercise is the buildup of lactic acid. Increasing the blood supply to the injured area helps to carry the acid away. 

In the same way that ice can damage the skin, heat can also be damaging. Never fall asleep with a heating pad on your skin, burns can happen. 

Once you have done your home care with heat and ice in Nitro, WV, the next step is to see your chiropractor and let them determine how to prevent the problem from becoming a long-term injury. Many different therapies and treatments can be used to ensure you know what you need to avoid in the future and keep the healing on the right track. 

Contact Dr. McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV when you need chiropractic care for any type of injury or condition. Give the office a call at (304) 776-1520.