Hot and cold therapy applied to your joints can act as temporary pain relief and help bring down inflammation.
8,9
Heat therapy works to reduce stiffness by increasing your body’s circulation.3 So why not try applying a heating pad or hot water bottle, or having a soak in a warm bath or shower?
For the best results, you should apply your chosen heat therapy to your affected joints for around 15 to 30 minutes every two hours.9
Always remember to wrap heating pads and hot water bottles in a towel or cloth to prevent your skin from overheating or burning.8,9
Applying cold packs or compresses (a bag of frozen peas works perfectly) can also help to reduce swelling and inflammation in your joints. Protect your skin by wrapping whichever cold pack you decide to use in a towel, before holding it on your affected joint for ten to 15 minutes at a time, reapplying every two hours.8,9
Taking over-the-counter pain relief, like paracetamol and ibuprofen, alongside these therapies can also be helpful.3