Hot and Cold Therapy with Lavender
Hot and cold therapy has been used by practitioners to reduce pain, speed up muscle healing and reduce swelling for hundreds of years. By combining this highly effective form of therapy with the relaxation and calming effects of Lavender, you can benefit even more. Read on to learn more about hot and cold therapy used with Lavender.
Heat Therapy with Lavender
Traditionally, the use of heat therapy is a great way to relax and sooth sore or tense muscles, tendons and joints and is particularly effective for dealing with migraine headaches and body cramps. Heat and warmth used with lavender pillows and wraps can bring about the relief that creates comfort for anyone suffering from chronic pain caused by strain, stress, injury and a number of health problems. Heat therapy can also increase the body’s own ability to heal as it improves blood flow to damaged areas.
By using heat therapy combined with Lavender, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Lavender has a calming effect on the senses which can enhance the body’s own healing properties by reducing stress. In addition, Lavender comes in many forms which can be used for massage, aroma therapy and heat therapy lavender wraps. When you choose to treat any area of the body with a heating pad, wrap or compress, add Lavender to create an atmosphere of relaxation and healing.
Lavender pillows and heat can help start the healing process by warming the tissues and blood vessels found underneath muscle fibers which signal the body to release endorphins, the natural alternative to pain medications. This also results in higher levels of metabolism, life enhancing oxygen and nutrients which immediately start to have an effect on the body. Heat combined with Lavender can bring about a greater response to pain relief by slowing down nerve signals which are linked to the central nervous system.
When using Lavender pillows with heat, be sure to use caution to avoid further injury to the affected area. For example, don’t use heat therapy within 48 hours of an acute injury or on broken skin as this may irritate the area further. Use the Lavender pillow warmed to the recommended temperature as instructed by the manufacturer to avoid scalding the skin. In addition, follow your doctor’s advice before using heat therapy on chronically inflamed areas caused by Lupus or arthritis as they may have limited affects when not used with proper medication and other forms of therapy.
You can expect that heat therapy will produce immediate positive results when used with Lavender pillows and wraps. Over a short period of time, you will experience pain relief and lower levels of stress by using heat therapy with Lavender. The benefits of heat therapy and Lavender are many, so use this great combination as often as possible for the best results. Also try alternating heat therapy with cold therapy, which we will discuss later.
Cold Therapy with Lavender
For years, practitioners of natural and traditional medicine have used cold therapy, or “cryotherapy”, to treat acute injuries. By applying cold to various areas of the body that have been injured or inflamed, the body begins its natural process of healing. Cold therapy used as soon as possible within the first 48 hours following an injury or muscle strain caused by excessive activity can greatly reduce swelling, pain, redness and bruising that often accompanies accidents. When used with Lavender pillows and wraps, cold therapy can produce even better results.
For many people, using ice packs or cold presses combined with Lavender therapy can provide much needed relief from common ailments including soreness from exercise, muscle and back pain and headaches, plus injuries caused by accidents, skin scrapes and joint sprains. Cold is also welcome for Lupus and arthritis sufferers to reduce swelling in joints. Lavender wraps, oils, creams and lotions can often provide a soothing sensation which helps the body begin the process of healing.
Cold therapy works by locally reducing the sensation in the joint, skin and muscles that are affected by an ailment. This acts like a natural pain reliever and is very helpful in taking out the sting or ache of an injury. The best approach to use with cold therapy is by using a cool Lavender pack that is large enough to cover the area of the body that is affected. Lavender and cold therapy provides an immediate response by blocking pain receptors in the brain to help the body relax so that natural endorphins can start working on the injured area.
In addition to producing immediate pain relief, cold therapy combined with a Lavender pack causes constriction of the blood vessels in the layers of tissue found under muscles which slows down blood flow and eases feelings of pain. This helps to reduce muscle spasms, swelling and bruising and can provide faster healing when the body is injured or experiencing undesired swelling stemming from underlying health issues. This can be very helpful when dealing with bouts of inflammation which can leave you feeling uncomfortable.
By using Lavender products in combination with cold therapy, you can get the fastest results when dealing with swelling, injury, inflammation and irritation in the body. Be careful to use your cold Lavender wrap as recommended by the manufacturer to avoid further irritation or injury to the body. Try not to use it on areas that have decreased sensation or if you have a circulatory deficiency. You can also use heat therapy alternated with cold therapy to produce better response with healing and recovering from a health issue.