I don’t know about you, but I never understood when to use an ice pack or heating pad for various issues. Now that I’ve educated myself as a personal trainer, I’ve found the main differences between cold and heat therapy. I thought I’d share them here too so that you know which to use when. Happy reading!

Heat therapy 101:

1.  Heat promotes blood flow and improves circulation

2.  Heat works best when applied immediately after exercise

3.  Heat is meant to treat exercise-related muscle pain, NOT injuries

4.  Hot baths, heating pads, saunas and hot stone massages are best for regular, post exercise soreness

Cold therapy 101:

1.  Cold reduces blood flow to an injury site

2.  Cold also decreases inflammation, swelling and damage to tissue

3.  Cold is effective for swollen joints

4.  Cold is best within 48 hours of an injury