Thread: Ice or Heat - "Which Should I Apply?"

Originally Posted by busa2009

If you look at this from a molecular stand point and ask yourself why the swelling is there then it becomes obvious that ice has no place in the healing process


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Swelling is the reason. Swelling causes pain and can decrease amount of blood flow getting to and away from the injury.

Yes ice detracts blood flow as well but its a means to an end. Blood flow will be improved after swelling is decreased.

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Originally Posted by busa2009

Yes blood flow is good and the best but your body doesnt make mistakes the inflammation is there for a reason and it’s phagocytes. First I get your point relieving pain is for our comfort but does nothing that is efficient in helping the body recover. Simple analogy if me and you do jumping jacks in a room the temperature will rise due to ATP same as the the repair cells T’s phagocytosis it produces heat due them working.


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Our body does what it needs to do to survive but it isn't always good for us or what we want at the time.

If we are dieting to lose weight our Metabolism will readjust causing our calorie defecit to be in vain.

The initial injury causes vasodilation and essentially a leaky endothelium. Unless your icing it AS THE INJURY occurred the process has already started. Histamine, leukotrienes, bradykinin, nitric oxide are in a battle to cause dilation and contraction. All the ice does is stop the body from overdoing something, bc it will overdo it. An injured ankle is the primary concern at the time. Not icing it allows it to do so at the cost of significantly more swelling and pain though.

Always ice an injury initially, especially a joint. Some swelling is ok but too much is counterproductive.

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