Listen ! if you have any acute injury to your ligaments,muscles,tendons applying ice will be more effective because acute injury produces inflammatory responses ,there are four cardinal signs of inflammatory process they
1.Pain
2.Swelling
3.Redness
4.Increased heat in the affected part
to combat these responses ,ice therapy is very effective, ice therapy blocks the pain pathway to brain , therefore we perceive less pain, initially application of cold leads to vasoconstriction (reduction in size of the blood vessel lumen) but later there will be vasodiatation (increase in size of the blood vessel lumen ),so consecutive vasoconstriction and vasodilatation creates a push in the blood flow in the injured area ,obviously the pain producing substances will be washed out ,increased blood flow promotes natural way of healing, this mechanism is known as Lewis hunting reaction In the other hand the hot fermentation doesn't have this nature .So, ice therapy is the most accepted form of first aid to any musculoskeletal injuries.

What happens when we do hot water fermentation in acute injuries?

Heat enables vasodilatation but remember the cardinal signs of inflammation,already there will be vasodilation ,by keeping warm water fermentation ,you are trying to add fuel to the fire ,it will worsen the situation.


Then when to give warm water fermentation ?

You can apply in chronic pain conditions like in Osteoarthritis ,Rheumatoid arthritis,Gout etc, because here we don't have the vasodilatation , by applying warm fermentation you are creating it , so it will be useful in draining the pain creating substances ,therefore pain is reduced considerabely

Methods of Cold fermentation :-


Step 1:-
Wrap the ice cubes in a soft cloth or use frozen water packets.


Step 2:-

Gently stroke the wrapped ice cubes on the injured area, please don’t put pressure on the injured area ,it may aggravate the pain.

Step 3:-

Continue stroking for about 15 to 20 mins (below 15 mins ice therapy is ineffective).Do not keep the ice cubes stationary, it may lead to ice burns

Step 4:-

keep the affected area or joint in the elevated position.

Icing can be done one hour once; there is no harm in repeating this technique.
After icing therapy there will be a considerable amount of pain relief.

You can follow the same procedure for Hot fermentation also

Contrast therapy :-

Contrast Therapy is a method of treatment where the painful area is immersed in warm water followed by immediate immersion in cold water.

Benefits:- Reduces oedema by alternating peripheral vasoconstriction and vasodilation This theory is commonly referred to as a “pumping action” . Reduces muscle spasm and inflammation and improves range of motion.

Consult a healthcare professional before starting exercises.