Heat or ice for muscle pain?

Question

I'm not positive what pain I'm having right now is muscle pain. I'm a dancer, so it's still a vaild question because I live with muscle pain! Right now it's something in my shoulder rotator cuff. It sounds a little like tendonitis (hurts top and front of shoulder, hard to reach across body and especially overhead) I don't really know though... - so is heat or ice better for both tendonitis and muscle pain?

And I usually sleep with a heating pad on my back or neck, and it cuts off by itself in two hours. I usually don't leave it on for the full two hours because I get hot. It's the only way I can get my back muscles to relax and it feels great, but I hear it's bad to use a heating pad on the same area daily. True? Why?

Answer 1

Ice the area for half an hour, then heat for another half hour. Stretch slowly and maybe use some pain reliever cream and massage it. Don't use the cream before or after the ice and heat.

Answer 2

you should use heat with this condition. A moist heating pad it is the best because it does not dehydrate the muscles like dry heat does. I would only use the heating pad for twenty minutes and afterwards massage an analgesic cream into the area. This is going to help cut the Pain better. Advil liquid capsules work very quickly for pain relief, you can take them four times daily.

I would also recommend you try a massage therapist or chiropractor for more permanent pain relief.

Answer 3

you need to alternate heat and ice...the heat feels better but if your muscles are swollen it will make it swell more.. also be sure that you take ibuprofen for the pain it will help with any swelling

hope you get feeling better

Answer 4

I usually use a well patch heat patch. You stick one on and it usually stays in place. If the pain doesn't go away you should seek a medical professional for help.