The Arthritis Foundation recommends using heat in the form of warm compress or bath for stiff joints and achy muscles. Warmth opens blood vessels, allowing more blood flow, nutrients, and oxygen to get to the damaged joint tissue. They recommend cold therapy for swelling and redness, as cold decreases blood flow and inflammation. Currently, more research is underway to study the potential effects of acupuncture on depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. To date, the results from many studies have shown promise. A study of people using ice therapy for gout found that it made some improvement to their pain but it did not reduce swelling. Ancient Chinese medical texts were among the first to discover and expand upon the mind and body connection. Since then, prestigious institutions (Harvard Medical School), health agencies (National Institute of Health), and most modern scientists and medical practitioners have accepted the overwhelming evidence for such connections.

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. Gunduz NE, et al. (2018). Is dry heat treatment (fluidotherapy) effective in improving hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis? A randomized controlled trial. A review of studies into the effectiveness of ice treatment found that most studies were inconclusive and others showed only a small effect. Some of the recent results are listed below: Ice can be left on for 20-30 minutes but there is little benefit to be gained by leaving it on for longer. You run the risk of damaging the skin if ice is left on the skin for more than 20-30 minutes at a time. Leaving the ice on for too long can also slow down the healing process.Stay hydrated: Dehydration is a common cause of headaches, so make sure you are drinking enough water. About a half gallon a day is recommended, and you’ll need more if you engage in physical activity.

With any sprain, strain or bruise there is some bleeding into the underlying tissues. This causes swelling and pain. Ice treatment may be used in both the immediate treatment of soft tissue injuries and in later rehabilitation. If you were to have an acupuncture chart in-hand, you’d be able to see the numerous connections between the Feng Fu spot and scalp areas. Icing this spot is thought to help reduce the pains associated with headaches. 5. Reduces fatigue and stress A 2014 experimental study of 18 females ages 50 to 69 observed improvements in clinical symptoms and walking ability after 12 weeks of treatment using heat- and steam-generating sheets. However, a 2018 randomized controlled trial of 93 rheumatoid arthritis patients concluded that dry heat treatment did not improve hand function or provide any positive benefits. A 2015 review in Postgraduate Medicine indicates, “The physiological effects of cold therapy include reductions in pain, blood flow, edema, inflammation, muscle spasm, and metabolic demand.”

4. Reduces headaches

In a recent article published in Scientific American, four of the five medical practitioners interviewed attest to some benefits of acupuncture. Needless to say, modern science based medicine isn’t fond of giving credibility to “alternative medicine.” 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. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. The result is a smoother digestion process and mitigation of related stomach issues. 4. Reduces headaches Mulla O, Prowse S, Sanders T, Nix P. Epistaxis (Ten-Minute Consultation).BMJ 2012; 344 doi: 10.1136/bmj.e1097