Do BOTH, alternating, with 10-15 minutes in between. Cold helps reduce swelling. Heat promotes circulation and healing. They don’t counteract each other – they work together as a team.
With the POSSIBLE exception of injuries resulting in swelling of soft tissue, I’ve NEVER found “ice” to be at all helpful with muscle maladies. A long hot bath, however, has almost always proved beneficial for me when it comes to any and all manner of exercise-related ailments. (Speaking from nearly 50 years of experience as a long-distance runner).
Application of ice is to slow and reduce bruising or swelling. Heat is to aid in healing and loosen the muscles. . Since I am not a doctor I would suggest the aspirin and bourbon. Guys I played beer league hockey with made it Tylenol and beer after a game. Not a good idea for your liver. But aspirin would probably be OK.
When I was in 6th grade I had a bag leg for awhile due to a virus in my leg. Similar to what rbrt6956 said – We were told by doctor to put ice on bruising in to reduce swelling and to use hot to help it heal and for pain. (I missed a good chunk of school that year as I had to stay off my leg most of the time. I would get on my old tricycle and slide down the driveway when the school bus was coming in the afternoon to drop everyone off from school, so I could see the other kids and then one of then would pull me back up the driveway as I could not pedal it. This lasted several months and every now and then the leg acts up again.)
Yakety Sax 27 days ago
Take two aspirin with a shot of bourbon. Usually works for me……….
Gizmo Cat 27 days ago
Usually one of the two will help. You’ll know when you apply heat or cold; if it feels good, it works, if it doesn’t try the other one.
ddl297 27 days ago
Dodging that nasty old lady is probably how he pulled his shoulder. He ought to apply an icepack – by dumping it on her head!
NeedaChuckle Premium Member 27 days ago
One summer, I had to dig a 200’ trench. Nothing huge just 12″ × 12″. I used a pick and found the wonder of Aleve as recommended by my doctor.
DM2860 27 days ago
Try Icy Hot
lkcelleo 27 days ago
What happened to the house guest?
OldDesertLizard Premium Member 27 days ago
Do BOTH, alternating, with 10-15 minutes in between. Cold helps reduce swelling. Heat promotes circulation and healing. They don’t counteract each other – they work together as a team.
cuzinron47 27 days ago
That’s the concept behind Icy Hot, and that seems to work.
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 27 days ago
Stretch, ice, then heat at 3 hour intervals
EMGULS79 27 days ago
With the POSSIBLE exception of injuries resulting in swelling of soft tissue, I’ve NEVER found “ice” to be at all helpful with muscle maladies. A long hot bath, however, has almost always proved beneficial for me when it comes to any and all manner of exercise-related ailments. (Speaking from nearly 50 years of experience as a long-distance runner).
rbrt6956 27 days ago
Application of ice is to slow and reduce bruising or swelling. Heat is to aid in healing and loosen the muscles. . Since I am not a doctor I would suggest the aspirin and bourbon. Guys I played beer league hockey with made it Tylenol and beer after a game. Not a good idea for your liver. But aspirin would probably be OK.
christelisbetty 27 days ago
Ice first, heat later.
mafastore 24 days ago
When I was in 6th grade I had a bag leg for awhile due to a virus in my leg. Similar to what rbrt6956 said – We were told by doctor to put ice on bruising in to reduce swelling and to use hot to help it heal and for pain. (I missed a good chunk of school that year as I had to stay off my leg most of the time. I would get on my old tricycle and slide down the driveway when the school bus was coming in the afternoon to drop everyone off from school, so I could see the other kids and then one of then would pull me back up the driveway as I could not pedal it. This lasted several months and every now and then the leg acts up again.)