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Mastering Neck Pain Relief: Unveiling the Perfect Blend of Hot and Cold Therapy
Doctors say that using ice is good right after you hurt yourself, feel sudden pain, or notice swelling. But if you’ve been hurting for a while or your swelling has gone down, heat might be better for you.
You’ve probably heard about using either a hot or cold pack for your neck pain, but when should you use ice and when should you use heat?
Well, experts haven’t found solid proof that one is better than the other for reducing pain or strain. However, they usually suggest using ice for new or swollen injuries. Once the swelling goes down, it’s better to use heat to help relax any remaining tension or stiffness.
Here’s the gist of it.
Which Is More Effective for Neck Pain: Ice or Heat?
Studies indicate that both using ice and applying heat can help with neck pain.
Ice is typically better when:
- You’ve recently hurt your neck (like in a car accident)
- You suddenly feel pain
- Your neck is swollen
- You want to relax your muscles after working out
Heat is usually better when:
- Swelling has gone down
