Heat vs. Cold for Arthritis: Which is Best?

Treating arthritis pain is often a process of trial and error. Whether to best manage pain with ice, heat or both can be confusing, but selecting the best treatment option is possible.

Which Treatment Is Better?

• Both hot and cold methods of treatment for arthritis pain provide different types of relief, making them both equally appropriate.

Hot Treatment

• The warmth provided by a heat treatment relaxes the muscle surrounding the inflamed joint and increases blood circulation to the area. Both results will temporarily alleviate pain.

Cold Treatment

• Icing aching joints reduces inflammation and numbs the area, providing pain relief.

What To Use

• For hot treatment, dry heat from a heating pad or lamp or moist heat from a warm bath or hot wraps can be used. Cold treatment can be applied with ice packs, frozen wraps or even a bag of frozen peas. Never use hot or cold treatments for more than 15 to 20 minutes per session, and make sure skin returns to its regular temperature before re-treating the area.

What To Know

• Before using hot or cold treatment, make sure skin is dry and unbroken, and never place a hot or cold pack on bare skin (wrap in a towel first). Never use creams, lotions or other topical solutions on skin while applying a hot or cold treatment.