As a Chiropractor, one of the most common questions I am asked is, “Should I use heat or ice?” The answer depends on what type of injury you are trying to treat. Both cold and superficial heat can decrease the symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries and pain. The most general answer is always use ice for acute injuries (within the past 72 hours) and use a combination of ice and heat for chronic (long-standing) injuries. However, to make the best decision, you need to understand what ice and heat can do. ICE Applying ice to an injured muscle or joint can …
