What's best for sore muscles, heat or cold? Apparently both, cold and then later

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What's best for sore muscles, heat or cold? Apparently both, cold and

then later heat

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=29108

14 Aug 2005

If sore muscles have you yearning for relief, what's the best

strategy to soothe inflamed muscles, heat or cold?

Cold first, advises the August issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

Later, heat can help. Wearable heat patches, available in retail and

drugstores, allow you to apply heat and keep moving.

Cold first: To relieve pain associated with sprains and strains, it's

usually best to first apply a cold compress for about 20 minutes at a

time every four to six hours over the first few days. Cold reduces

swelling and inflammation and relieves pain. For a cold compress, you

can use a cold pack, a plastic bag filled with ice or a bag of frozen

vegetables; wrap it in a dry cloth or towel to help prevent

frostbite.

Then heat: Start using heat after pain and swelling have decreased,

usually two to three days after the injury. Heat relaxes tightened

and sore muscles and reduces pain. Heat is usually better than cold

for chronic pain -- such as from arthritis -- or for muscle

relaxation.

Apply heat to the injured areas for 20 minutes up to three times a

day. Traditional methods include using a heat lamp, hot water bottle,

warm compress or taking a warm bath or hot shower.

A new option for heat therapy involves single-use wraps or patches

that adhere to your skin or clothing near the sore spots. Chemicals

in these wraps or patches warm up as they're exposed to air when you

open the package. Because they provide a lower level of therapeutic

heat, they are safe for extended use -- eight hours or more. (But

always follow the manufacturer's instructions.)

Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page monthly newsletter of

reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and

medical news. To subscribe, please call toll free 800-333-9037,

extension 9PR1.

Mayo Clinic

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Rochester, MN 55902

United States http://www.mayo.edu/news