Does heating have the same effect as icing?!
Question: Does heating have the same effect as icing?
As far as I can tell, from what I've read, icing helps you heal because it brings blood to the surface, which is why your skin is red. So, does that mean as long as u get the skin red, it has the same healing effect as icing? Because when I use this heat thingy it makes my skin really red, and since ice can cause nerve damage which can actually slow down the healing, isn't it better to use heat?
Answers:
Immediately after an injury ice is used to reduce swelling and pain. The next day heat is used to increase blood flow into the area to help with healing.