Why You Should STOP Using ICE for Knee Pain!

[@roswhitaker7732]

Thank you Will! This was the advice I gave as a pharmacist (now retired) but I often had to explain why it was counter intuitive for many patients.

[@KenMcGaffin]

This advice really helped me! I’d been using ice on my painful knee for about 8 months and couldn’t understand why it wasn’t getting better. I’ve been using heat for the last 2 weeks and my knee pain has disappeared- thank you so much Will, this is brilliant advice. Ken

[@femiibrahim7645]

Do you use heating pad? Or what do you use?

[@Joni.b.]

I heard this elsewhere a couple months ago. I’ve been using a heating pad after activity and it’s really seemed to help in healing my knee. It’s been very soothing too.

[@RitaDutta-c4e]

Very good information.

[@gordondixon3555]

How often should heat be applied. Thank you for your excellent videos and your book.

[@teresaspensley5640]

I knew it. Thank you so very much for this video.I knew ice wasn’t doing any good,sick to death of so called medics telling me to ice after having an arthritic knee for 12 years (at the time). I do heat as it helps, my body knows what it needs. God bless you 🙏🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏻🇬🇧🌟💜

[@markjones2453]

Cold showers start using cayenne pepper so many different ways to calm down inflammation in the body and cold therapy is DEFINITELY one of them I cured my knee pain with cold therapy I've also cured my BPH with cold therapy it completely works

[@JIMKATSANIDIS]

Interesting! I though hot and cold is supposed to help healing and horses and athletes responded well to this too. It's good to know that heat is better for the knee pain healing than ice. I will use only heat from now on. Thanks for all the great tips Will!👋

[@janechambers9980]

GREAT VIDEO! It helped me, not with my knee, but with decreased blood flow to my thigh due to a vein reversal (going the wrong way). Because of this (which will be corrected soon), I have been applying ice to my thigh. No wonder the pain persisted! I was reducing--not increasing--blood flow. Heat is much better--also massage. Thank you!

[@thomasfleming8415]

If you ice for a little bit, won't blood rush to the area after removing the ice? This could have a net positive blood flow in the end if used sparingly?

[@yilbertlipinyuen7503]

Dr Will, you are a gem. Thanks so much

[@darrenstantonlive6824]

just found your videos. fantastic delivery. great advice. i'll check back in. have old rugby injury flaring up. thank you darren

[@ReallyJillRogoff]

That's interesting. I have an old meniscus injury that occasionally flares up again. Will consult with my gp, but am hoping this will finally put paid to it.

[@bhuvanam8242]

Oh, it's good, thank you so much

[@angeladavies]

Yes my physio said to ice but I instinctively didn't (meniscus tear). I hate the cold, not into ice baths craze. I turn purple blue such bad circulation. Sunshine, hot showers, heater I am better. Feels like blood flow is not stagnant 😅😅

[@emilymanhart368]

I've heard from other physicians that blood flow is increased when the ice is removed. The 'healing' effect of icing happens when you let the tissue return to normal temperature.

[@punkaakee]

There are studies showing this effect in horses

[@esteladamian1447]

Does Biofreeze spray help with knee osteoarthritis. Thanks!

[@theresathompson2270]

Thanks for this, one of my knees is still swollen on and off week 8 now, I have been icing after exercises and housework 2-3 times a day, I did try heat and my knee throbs ?, a deep pain is that a good thing… should I continue with heat from now on? Patella femoral disorder was named by my physiotherapist. Any advice greatly appreciated.

[@tritzispoosa]

Thanks for the helpful tip 🎈

[@aditimitra5820]

Started having knee pain last month from doing squats. The pain still isn't going away. I was using ice . Should I use heat now?

[@lindavoytovech7481]

Love your content I use the excercises you recommend quick question your thoughts on cannabis for pain or cremes?

[@Iamfitness123]

Thanks you I needed this

[@HT-Physio]

Happy to help!

[@julianbettney9816]

Put a woollen scarf under your knee when you sleep in bed it creates localised heat and soothes while sleeping it really works.

[@debbiealice9257]

What a good idea - I will try this - thank you

[@femiibrahim7645]

@@debbiealice9257does this work?

[@dawnsreviews7205]

My situation..doctor wants me to ice..not always comfortable..pes anserine bursitis with osteoathritis..chronic

[@handsomerube]

What about using ice for a meniscus tear and inflamed knee because most of the meniscus doesn’t get a blood supply? I’ve had PTs tell me to use heat before exercise to loosen things up and ice afterwards to manage inflammatory response.

[@DrMusicStarr]

I was told to massage knee towards heart after removing ice... moves the inflammatory cytokines

[@amandarenee23]

What if there is still some swelling a week later ? 40 year old with patellofemoral pain

[@theresathompson2270]

Snap I still have swelling week 8?! And am still icing after physio suggested daily exercises.

[@DrMusicStarr]

Link to the article?

[@megand175]

It’s in the description box

[@imogenveneear1935]

So my knees and ankles have been swelling for years due to hypermobility and I've always been told to ice them. I have now been told I have osteoarthritis and am still being told to ice any inflamed sites. Should I be using heat to make them better?

[@cheryldueck318]

Just my personal experience - I am 43 years old, but have advanced osteoarthritis in my ankle from 2 separate leg fractures (unfortunately). I used to ice, because that was the recommendation, and even after letting the site warm up afterwards, felt worse movement wise. I became aware of this newer research about half a year ago, and started using only heat. It feels SO much better. The general keys seem to be heat and gentle movement. Basically, to clear out all of the waste materials from inflammation, you need muscle action to pump it back towards the heart, so the other organs can do their jobs clearing out the byproducts that are no longer needed (moved through the lymph system, which is only driven by muscle movement). This can be gentle, regular movement (within what you can tolerate), but the key is not having the fluids in that area stagnate for too long. Within the last few weeks I had a fourth surgery on my leg to remove hardware. I iced the first few (accute) days, while also doing gentle ankle pumps and gentle mobility exercises (as allowed by the surgeon). Since then, I have been increasing movement, wearing moderate compression socks, elevating the leg above my heart level several times a day, and using heat 1-2 times per day. Swelling has remained reasonable and healing is progressing well.

[@imogenveneear1935]

@@cheryldueck318 thank you. Don't suppose you have a link to the research please?

[@lisbethsalander1723]

@@cheryldueck318 Thank you for explaining so well and adding that we need gentle muscle action after heat.

[@johnmifsud6814]

My spinal/chiropractic doctor told me the exact opposite to this.

[@user-Queen94]

Ohhhhhhh my god, l started to do meditation due to reduced my pain but unfortunately l add knee pain to myself. Around three weeks that l had this pain and l just started to put ice on it from yesterday, maybe after 4 days l will switch to heat. I hope l can heal it.🤲

[@dantemontalvo8709]

Ice is fine if swelling is present. Contrast therapy is best of both worlds alternating heat and ice. Usually athletes can benefit from i e tgerapy to reduce inflammation from rigours of s tough workout then heat for the theraputic soothing and healing effects from increased blood flow to the area.

[@bettyr2065]

❤

[@annela2887]

😂thanks much

[@newts1964]

Why don't you answer questions

[@markjones2453]

Keep using ice for all inflammation it's COMPLETE NONSENSE NOT TO it totally helps

[@joseenoel8093]

Yay I've never ever iced anywhere anyway! Even took R.I.C.E. in College, even hit by pick-up truck running red trying to make that class on time (5 miles), teacher obsessed if we were late, biking on wrong side of the road (luckily appt insurance covered both damages 😊). Physics behind hit had me fly doing backwards somersault, truck had hit me at 90°, only touching handlebar, I landed in squat position (long time too as ambulances were on strike and no one letting me move). City then put big cement flower blocks there, no more barreling down like guy had done! All ok, just a few days of painkillers and then having to explain to phys-ed teacher why I hadn't shown up for class! ❤

[@geethakumar1860]

Solved. My dilamma ice or heat🔥 suffering from a bad fall hurt my knees a week ago Thank u will switch to heat pad❤😊

[@HT-Physio]

I'm pleased my video came at the right time for you! I'm wishing you all the best in your recovery :)

[@edwardsinram7099]

I've had problems since the late 80's ( returning punts),never healed properly, and during a run about 3 years ago the inside of the knee maybe popped ( had earbuds in,couldn't hear), is dry heat the best option, or is moist heat the better option, thanks