The standard size measures 36.8 x 26.5cm and is perfectly suited to treat most body parts including knees, thighs, calves, shoulders, feet and arms. A bag of frozen vegetables: Wrap a bag of frozen peas or something similar in a thin, damp cloth or towel and apply it to the affected area. A bag of ice cubes can also be effective.

Kolasinski, S. L., et al. (2020). 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation duideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee. But, when something hurts, what will make it feel better: ice or heat? And when does it make sense to use both?

Rotator cuff tears – This is similar to bursitis in that the overuse of shoulder joints can lead to chronic inflammation and degeneration. This can cause rotator cuff tears, which is pretty much wear and tear on the shoulder tendons. These effects all help to prevent the area from becoming stiff, by reducing excess tissue fluid that gathers as a result of injury and inflammation. Heat is an effective and safe treatment for most aches and pains. Heat can be applied in the form of a wheat bag, heating pads, deep heat cream, hot water bottle or heat lamp. The one arthritis experience that ice is best for, according to Dr. Mileti, is with a gout flare-up. When the sudden onset of pain and inflammation strikes individual joints, ice can calm the flare-ups while also helping to numb the pain. Headaches Because of the shoulders’ everyday function and use, there are several conditions and factors that can contribute to shoulder pain.

There is no definitive answer to whether heat or cold is better, as both have their place in treating symptoms of arthritis and joint pain in general. We definitely don’t realise how great of a role our shoulders play on a day-to-day basis until we are afflicted with shoulder pain. All of a sudden, simple and mundane tasks like brushing your hair, putting on clothes and even reaching for something can put you in a world of pain. Suffering from shoulder pain is indeed debilitating and can put your life and chores on hold, so finding relief is crucial. Use caution on areas with decreased sensation if you have neuropathy (from diabetes or another condition) or Raynaud’s syndrome. Extreme temperatures can damage skin.Damp, warm compress: A person can dampen a clean towel and heat it in a microwave, so the temperature feels comfortable to apply to affected areas. You may not think much of it, or perhaps you’ve even shrugged it off, but the shoulder is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body.