Hot and cold therapy are go-to methods to treat any form of soreness or injury to our body. An easy, safe, inexpensive, environmental-friendly way of relieving pain, in the comfort of our homes. Without side effects or risks!
Generally, heat therapy is best for sore, stiff, aching muscles, especially neck or back. Muscles typically respond well to heat when discomfort stems from over-exertion, trigger points (knots), spasms, cramps (e.g. menstrual cycle), bad postures. A heating pad soothes hurts-all-over pain or sensitivity from sleep deprivation, vitamin D deficiency etc
Warm tub soaks with minerals or essential oils is comforting, reassuring. Heat helps blood vessels dilate allowing free blood flows, removes toxins, encourages healing.
If we’ve pulled, strained lower back muscles, applying heat causes inflammation. Ice therapy is generally meant for fresh injuries like pulled, sprained, strained back muscles. Cold of an ice pack calms inflamed, hot, red, swollen tissues. Applying a cold gel pack to freshly injured back or other areas can dull pain, bring down swelling.
Cold temperatures restrict blood flow to muscles, helps reduce bruising, swelling, pain. Once we remove ice pack muscles warm up, blood vessels expand ushering in a flood of new blood to clear debris left by injury, accelerating healing process. Cold therapy shouldn’t occur right after work-outs.
Hot, cold therapies are extremely beneficial – healing, repairing, rejuvenating.
