Swelling with muscles, cold or hot?

[funnyesq]

I know heat usually makes a fatigued muscle or a sore muscle feel better as it helps it to relax or bring blood flow to it.

If there is "swelling" though from some type of inflammation (I assume an inflamed muscle, swells?) is that a time for a cold compress on it? Does the cold reduce the swelling which then reduces the inflammation? It's two (2) things/conditions I want to improve...i.e. 1) swelling and 2) inflammation.

Thanks.

[Strive2Define]

Does it hurt? Is it from lifting?And yes sometimes after a really heavy strenuous workout, I have experienced muscle inflammation but I never bothered icing it..it usually subsides within a couple of days on its own.

[Patricia]

A year ago I strained my calves really bad-to the point where I literally could not walk, straighten out my legs, or bend my ankles even slightly back.
I had to 'walk' by hunching over and stepping with only the balls of my feet with my knees permanently bent-it was awful.
Anyway, when I first felt that they were sore, I ran to the drug store and bought one of those heat wraps (it was one for the lower back) and used those overnight. The next two days were worse, and I just thought it was because the strain was so bad.
Well, the strain was bad, but I actually had to go to the doctor because I swore I had really torn my calf muscle or something...
The doc told me that when I applied heat so soon it made it worse. I should've iced them, he said.
I had strained both, and apparently shouldv'e applied cold-not hot.

[mark]

Long distance runners will often take an ice bath after a particularly long or grueling run to prevent inflammation and soreness. So, I'm assuming that cold would be the way to go.

I've heard some controversy on whether you want to prevent inflammation if you're trying to build lean muscle. For example, there have been arguments against taking NSAIDs after training.

[Erik]

I've heard some controversy on whether you want to prevent inflammation if you're trying to build lean muscle. For example, there have been arguments against taking NSAIDs after training.

NSAIDs reduce PWO protein synthesis

[DarkAnimal73]

I always use ice.....sometimes ill use a topical anelgeisic...biofreeze is good

[Cass]

I always use ice.....sometimes ill use a topical anelgeisic...biofreeze is good

I agree.

[Marcelo]

I know heat usually makes a fatigued muscle or a sore muscle feel better as it helps it to relax or bring blood flow to it.

If there is "swelling" though from some type of inflammation (I assume an inflamed muscle, swells?) is that a time for a cold compress on it? Does the cold reduce the swelling which then reduces the inflammation? It's two (2) things/conditions I want to improve...i.e. 1) swelling and 2) inflammation.

Thanks.


Ice works wonders to reduce inflammation. Ever see a MLB pitcher right after they leave the game and sit on the bench? Those guys have huge ice packs usually on their shoulder or elbows. We do a tremendous amount of shoulder work on our upper body days and sometimes I will even bring an ice pack to throw on my shoulders between sets, even for just a short amount of time it helps with swelling/inflammation. I'm in the routine of icing my joints/muscles after every heavy day of lifting, it makes recovery much better for me.

[GqArtguy]

I know heat usually makes a fatigued muscle or a sore muscle feel better as it helps it to relax or bring blood flow to it.

If there is "swelling" though from some type of inflammation (I assume an inflamed muscle, swells?) is that a time for a cold compress on it?

Yes



Does the cold reduce the swelling which then reduces the inflammation?

The cold restricts the blood flow to the area which reduces the inflammation which reduces the swelling.



It's two (2) things/conditions I want to improve...i.e. 1) swelling and 2) inflammation.


Thanks.[/QUOTE]
You want to improve swelling and inflammation?

[crawford62]

I agree with everyone else... go with ice.