hot or cold compress on a muscle pull/strain?

Answer 1

RICE

Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

Answer 2

Cold. I was in physiotherapy for 6 months with severe damage to my muscles. To be able to put up with the constant muscle pain & discomfort I was constantly treated with cold compress by the physiotherapists. May God bless them all.

Answer 3

Use cold therapy 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for a new injury or a new re injury, then if it continues to bother you switch to heat the same amounts of time.. Moist heat is the best..For cheap cold compresses use frozen bags of peas. 3-4 ought to get you through the two weeks, if it's an old injury heat will make you feel better......

Answer 4

Cold

Answer 5

It has to be hot - the heat will relax and warm up any damaged muscles. Cold compresses are for breaks and fractures. Muscle rub helps A LOT - never mind the smell; sleep with the rub on and you'll be happier by morning.

Answer 6

You might have something out of place in your neck or upper back causing your tension headaches and pain. Go see a Chiropractor for help. I was in a car accident and got whiplash. I see a Chiropractor once a month to help control the tension headaches and a 10mg muscle relaxer every night.

Answer 7

Your best bet is to use cold compresses for twenty minute intervals then use hot compresses for the next twenty minutes. If you switch off, healing results quicker. Cold reduces the inflammation, and heat enhances your circulation. I was in the hospital last August and thats what I had to do.

Answer 8

cold...that way you can actually feel the chill. the muscle/pull strain might already feel hot, so making it heat more might not feel too good.

Answer 9

Hot

Answer 10

Cold for the first 24 hours, then heat and only heat.

RICE is only for the first 24 hours.

Answer 11

cold the formual for over coming muscle strains/pulls is RICE
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation