Is Cold Therapy Good for Hip Arthritis?

cold therapy for hip arthritis

Have you tried cold therapy for hip arthritis? If not, you’re missing out on natural healing benefits that are proven to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Cold therapy is used all over the world by healthcare professionals to reduce their patients’ discomfort without medication. You may have tried other healing methods, but cold therapy proves that there’s still hope. Here’s how you can find relief from hip arthritis with the help of cold therapy.

Key Takeaways

Hip arthritis is caused by cartilage damage to the hip joint, most often due to age and wear
Cold treatment as pain management dates back to the ancient Egyptians of 2500 BCE
The application of cold to a painful area decreases inflammation, slows production of joint fluid and distracts the brain from discomfort
Although there are many forms of cryotherapy, cold therapy machines are the one of the most convenient and effective

Finding the best natural pain relief method often takes some trial and error. Cold therapy can help you regain mobility by reducing painful flares in inflammation.

Understanding Your Hip Arthritis

Although very common, hip arthritis can be incredibly painful, especially as it worsens over time. Hip arthritis is caused by cartilage damage to the hip joint, most often due to age and wear.

The most common types of hip arthritis include but are not limited to:

Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis

With each type of hip arthritis, it’s likely that you’ll experience hip pain, stiffness, weakness, inflammation and audible clicking sounds when moving your hip. Experiencing the discomfort associated with hip arthritis can greatly affect your mobility and quality of life.

The goal is to find neutral ways to ease your symptoms and reduce further damage. Surgery is best for finding long-term relief, but there’s several other methods you should try, like cold therapy, before an operation.

Many arthritis specialists recommend cold therapy to naturally ease swelling, pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. If you haven’t yet explored cold therapy as a healing method, relief may be closer than you think.

How Cold Therapy Can Help

Cold treatment as pain management dates back to the ancient Egyptians of 2500 BCE. Cold therapy has evolved drastically since then, but its healing benefits still stand true.

Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, can help improve your mobility and make your arthritis easier to manage. It stimulates your body’s natural pain relievers and decreases blood flow by constricting the muscle's blood vessels, also known as vasoconstriction.

The application of cold to a painful area will help:

Decrease inflammation - Constricted blood vessels and slowed blood flow reduces inflammation and ultimately relieves pain.
Slow production of joint fluid - Although synovial joint fluid is essential to joint health, too much will intensify pain and swelling. The application of cold temperatures will slow production and relieve discomfort.
Distract the brain from discomfort - Applying cold to an inflamed joint will stimulate sensory receptors and decrease pain signals to the brain, leading to your relief.

Cold therapy doesn’t stop at the reduction of inflammation and pain. It also has several additional benefits, including:

Reduces stress
Improves sleep
Boosts immune system
Enhanced mood and mental clarity
Accelerated muscle recovery

In addition to minimizing your discomfort, cold therapy promotes comfortable, accelerated healing to the application site.

How Often to Apply Cold Therapy?

When first trying cold therapy, it’s best to start slow. Apply cold temperatures 2-4 times a day to measure its effectiveness. According to the American College of Rheumatology, 5-10 minutes of cold therapy should be applied to painful areas within the first 48 hours of experiencing pain.

If you find cold therapy effective, you can increase the application. Although, it’s advised to apply cold temperatures no longer than 20 minutes at a time. You should also limit the application of cold to a maximum of 8-10 times within a 24-hour period.

For more clarity on frequency of use, speak to your healthcare provider about the best pain relief plan for your specific situation.

Precautions

Applying extreme cold temperatures directly to the skin can cause damage. To avoid irritating the skin, it's important to:

Use a protective barrier, such as a towel or compression sleeve, between the ice and your skin. If you feel irritation or pain, be sure to increase the level of protection.
Limit your cold therapy to a maximum of 20 minutes per application
People with Raynaud’s Syndrome, cold allergic conditions, paralysis or nerve damage can be negatively affected by cold therapy. Do not use cold therapy unless you’ve received approval from your doctor.

Before trying any new healing method, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider first. Speak with your doctor about how you can maximize the benefits of cold therapy.

Cold Therapy For Hip Arthritis

Although there are many forms of cryotherapy, cold therapy machines are the one of the most convenient and effective. Relieving discomfort and regaining mobility is just steps away after finding the best cold therapy machine for you.

Breg Polar Care Wave

Breg’s Polar Care Wave not only offers consistent cold therapy, but also compression. Both quiet and compact, this cold therapy machine is ideal for:

Home use
Physical therapy
Hospital use
Athletic training
Travel

This unit is also equipped with cold therapy pads that wrap comfortably around the hips, knees, ankles and shoulders. The Breg Polar Care Wave is specifically designed for post-op patients and prioritizes patient care and comfort.

DonJoy IceMan Cold Therapy System

The DonJoy IceMan Cold Therapy Unit is thoughtfully designed with a patented dual pump recirculation system that ensures consistent cold. This unit is one of the most convenient, compact units on the market, making it a great option for travel and easy storage.

The DonJoy IceMan offers a complete line of wrap-on pads for each body part: knee, shoulder, hip, ankle and back. This unit’s controlled delivery of cold therapy allows users to easily manage and relieve discomfort.

Breg Polar Care Kodiak Cooler

Breg’s Polar Care Kodiak Cooler is one of the most popular units due to its compact size and innovative design. As the only battery-operated cold therapy machine available, this unit excels in versatility.

The Polar Care Kodiak delivers ice water through comfortable circulation pads specifically designed to maximize your healing process. With this unit, you’ll enjoy convenient pain relief.

Find Relief Today

Cold therapy for hip arthritis can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Cold therapy machines are a cost-efficient and convenient way to treat symptoms associated with arthritis.

Regular discomfort in your joints can impact both your mobility and quality of life. Visit OrthoBracing.com today to learn more about natural healing tools that can help deliver relief fast.