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Heat and Cold Therapy for Osteoarthritis
For moderate to severe pain from osteoarthritis, try applying heat and cold to the affected joints as appropriate. Experiment with these heat and cold techniques until you find what helps you most.
- Apply heat 2 or 3 times a day for 20 to 30 minutes, using a heating pad, hot shower, or hot pack. Heat seems to be effective for pain and stiffness related to inactivity of a joint.
- Try putting cold packs on a painful joint for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not apply a cold pack directly to bare skin. Put a thin towel or pillowcase between the ice and your skin.
- Try ice massage. A small study showed that ice massage for 20 minutes, 5 days per week, improved range of motion and function, although its effect on pain was less clear.1
- Try alternating between heat and cold.
- After a heat or cold treatment, try some gentle massage for relaxation and pain relief.
Paraffin wax is a form of moist heat that may help if you have pain and stiffness in your hands or feet. It is especially useful before exercise. Your physical therapist can teach you to use paraffin at home.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 8, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine David A. Fleckenstein, MPT - Physical Therapy | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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