Should I Ice or Heat a tight muscle?

Confused on when to use ice or heat? Should you use Ice on a new injury? Should you use heat for tight muscles? It can be confusing.. Both are great in they're own way. Think of it this way. Ice pulls blood and fluid away from the region. Heat draws more blood to the area. If you already have lots of swelling, heat, and redness your typically better off with Ice. Many new fresh injuries fit this category. If you have an older issue, its tight stiff and not swollen heat would probably be the better option. Brand new injury ice is a good way to control pain, old injury think heat.

For more specific questions visit Dr. Travis at North Tampa Spine & Joint Center in New Tampa. Dr. Mohr is a Sports Medicine Doctor.