Reference;https://mbp-japan.com/jijico/articles/32450/
Modified and translated by CFJA
In North America, people don’t have the habit of using medicated compresses for pain, but Dr. Seino’s article about Japan’s custom of applying them could be very informative for us Canadians as well.
What is the most effective and appropriate cooling method immediately after an injury?
In the case of a fracture, severe pain usually appears 10–15 minutes after the injury.
With dislocations, sprains, or contusions, deformity and movement restriction may occur.
When it’s a bruise (contusion), the pain tends to persist for a long time.
In all such cases, it is essential to consult a medical specialist.
After an injury, some people try to cool the area intensely with ice. Although it may seem effective at first glance, overcooling can impair the body’s natural healing response. When patients come to the clinic after excessive icing, it’s often difficult to identify the exact fracture or injury site, and their recovery tends to be slower.
For immediate post-injury care, I recommend applying a towel cooled to about 4°C to the affected area.
Here’s how:
- Soak a towel in water, wring it out, and place it in the refrigerator.
- If your refrigerator has a partial-freezing (par-shal) function, use it to achieve a temperature close to 4°C.
Because the injured area is inflamed and warm, cooling it to about 4°C provides just the right level of relief—it calms the pain without suppressing the body’s overall function.
If the area is cooled excessively, the patient may begin to feel chills or shivering.
A towel cooled to around 4°C does not overcool the body, so the overall condition remains stable and no chills occur.
In cases of fractures or dislocations, I advise patients to maintain this condition (with a 4°C towel on the injury) until they reach the clinic.
When pain appears and the area becomes hot, red, and swollen, applying a cold towel three times as described earlier is effective for pain relief.
You may keep each application slightly longer depending on your body temperature and the room temperature—it’s best to adjust the duration based on your own sensation of cooling.
Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment are the most effective methods for eliminating pain.
When pain occurs and the above cold or warm compress therapies do not bring relief, I encourage you to consider Eastern medicine.
For those who have not found improvement through surgical (Western) treatments, or who wish to avoid medication-based (internal) therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment—a form of therapy that works both externally and internally—is highly effective.
When pain appears, it is best to receive acupuncture and moxibustion treatment as early as possible.
To build a body that is less prone to pain, I recommend Yoga (YOGA).
By learning the physical postures and breathing techniques of Yoga, you can develop a strong and balanced body and mind.
In addition, reviewing your daily lifestyle habits will greatly contribute to maintaining and improving overall health.
When there is inflammation in the body, is it better to cool it or warm it? 01
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