Ice and Heat For Muscles

Ice and heat are effective therapies to treat muscles affected by injuries, sprains, twists, as pulls as well as those that have been overworked. Among professionals in field including medical experts, physical therapists and athletic trainers there is not 100% agreement on how and when to use heat and ice. There is however a wide consensus that ice and heat have different uses in putting muscles back in working order after injuries and overwork. 

Treating Acute and Chronic Muscle Pain 

There is no doubt among medical experts, physical therapists and athletic trainers that sore, tired and injured muscles can be effectively treated without damaging pharmaceuticals. There are minor differences of opinion of when to use heat and when to use cold for different muscle afflictions among professionals. 

The opinions of your family, friend, neighbor, teammate or workout partner are based on their experiences in using ice or heat at various stages of muscle injury and recovery. A recommendation by a teammate that ice is best or one by a family friend that heat is best may be based on their individual experience at different milestones in the recovery process.

The traditional view of western medicine is that ice is used for acute injuries or pain and that heat is used to treat chronic injuries and pain. Medical New Today, an online ezine, offers Fast facts on cold and heat treatment:

• Cold treatment reduces inflammation by decreasing blood flow. Apply within 48 hours after an injury.
• Heat treatment promotes blood flow and helps muscles relax. Use for chronic pain.
• Alternating heat and cold may help reduce exercise-induced muscle pain.
• Never use extreme heat, and never put ice directly on the skin. 

In 2022 there are new innovations in ice and heat therapy changing the landscape in these pain-relieving therapies. These advancements in ice and heat therapies are not challenging the traditional wisdom of the use of natural remedies, they are enhancing how ice and heat are delivered. 

Cryotherapy and Infrared Sauna

The ice pack, heating pad, and cold or hot compress are the age-old ways to deliver ice and cold therapies. In 2022 innovative research and developments are advancing technologies that deliver ice and heat therapies with targeted, measured modalities to enhance the response of muscle pain and recovery. 

On the ice front, cryotherapy continues to gain a foothold in delivering safe, effective targeted extreme cold to muscles, relieving acute pain and aiding in inflammation reduction. At the opposite end of the spectrum, FIT Bodywrap Infrared Sauna is a body-enveloping targeted heat that is safe and effective in treating and relieving chronic pain and long-term muscle maladies. 

The FIT Bodywrap Infrared Sauna is available at spas, while cryotherapy is gaining a foothold at physical therapy centers and pain clinics. These innovative delivery methods are taking ice and heat for muscles to the next level with technological advances.