ice or heat?

I hurt my neck and shoulder at work yesterday. Which would be better to put on it ice or heat? Thanks

Heat. Ice I believe is more for a bone type of pain. When I was pregnant I had horrible back pains caused from my hip bones relaxing & the doctor told me to put ice on it, not heat. I'm assuming muscular pain would call for heat

Heat... Ice is more for immediately after, I think.

Hot Epsom salt bath!

Thank you.

Both!

Ice to numb the pain, then heat to soothe it away.

Pretty sure I heard that on an IcyHot commercial...   

<blockquote><b>Quoting Girlyfufu_Xbox360:</b>" Hot Epsom salt bath!"</blockquote>




Don't have any of that

You could alternate between the two. It helps change it up, kind of like what icy/hot does.

It's best to use heat during the day where it will increase blood flow to the area and help promote healing. Ice it at night for the body slows down and will retian fluid which will cause swelling and need the ice to keep it down.

My doc says ice for the first 24-48 hours. heat will cause more inflamtion of the tissue too soon after injury. after that tiime period alternate ice to heat. good luck. also take ibuprofen and tylenol if not prego. cant remember fi you were or not.

Alternate heat and ice. I pulled my shoulder all out of wack in September and am trying to avoid a cortisone shot with heat and ice. My surgeon wants me to have the shot but I really dont want to unless the pain gets unbearable again.