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 2 months ago
Take two aspirin with a shot of bourbon. Usually works for me……….
Gizmo Cat 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months ago
Try Icy Hot
lkcelleo 2 months ago
What happened to the house guest?
OldDesertLizard Premium Member 2 months 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 2 months ago
That’s the concept behind Icy Hot, and that seems to work.
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 2 months ago
Stretch, ice, then heat at 3 hour intervals
EMGULS79 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months ago
Ice first, heat later.
mafastore 2 months 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.)