Lyme Disease Tip Summary:

Dr. Jody Greenfield, a Lyme-literate provider from Delray Beach, Florida, offers a simple yet often overlooked pain management strategy for those experiencing joint and musculoskeletal pain from Lyme disease.

1. Understand the Nature of Lyme-Related Pain

   • Lyme disease can cause pain in the joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

   • Physical therapy is often recommended to improve mobility and reduce discomfort.

2. Rethink Common Pain Relief Methods

   • While ice is typically used in conventional injury care, it may actually worsen symptoms for Lyme patients.

   • Many individuals with Lyme report increased pain, stiffness, or discomfort after using cold therapy.

3. Choose Heat for Relief

   • Dr. Greenfield recommends applying heat instead of ice during physical therapy or home care.

   • Heat helps soothe inflammation, improve circulation, and ease stiffness, making it a gentler option for Lyme-affected tissues.

“Ice can make the patients with Lyme disease feel worse… I recommend using heat and avoid using ice.” – Dr. Jody Greenfield

Watch Video:

Video Transcript:
“Hi, Tick Boot Camp. Nice to see everybody again this year. Dr Jody Greenfield here from Delray Beach, Florida. You know, patients with Lyme disease can have many different symptoms. A common symptom with patients is joint pain. Patients can also have pain in the muscles, in the tendons, in the ligaments, and we, many times, recommend these patients to get physical therapy. My quick Lyme Hack for today is that if you end up going for physical therapy, I recommend using heat and avoid using ice. Ice can make the patients with Lyme disease feel worse. That’s my quick Lyme Hack for today. May you all get well soon.” – Doctor Jody Greenfield