Sore muscles - cold for 24 hours, then heat? Why?

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BroiledNotFried
BroiledNotFried Posts: 446 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am sore from exercise. I put the heating pad on last night, about 12 hours after I exercised. I did not wait the 24 hours like it is recommended. I am not as sore today, so I think I did a good thing. But, why the cold for 24 hours/then heat afterwards advice?

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  • nefbaker
    nefbaker Posts: 79
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    The ice reduces the swelling, while the heat relaxes the muscles. It's a combination of the two that helps with the soreness.
  • fwalz3
    fwalz3 Posts: 31 Member
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    From what I understand, the cold reduces any swelling and the heat brings the blood to the muscle to heal it.
  • darkmouzy
    darkmouzy Posts: 227 Member
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    When you are sore after excersise you are experiencing excersise induced muscle damage. Your muscles are going trough numerous things including inflammation and that is why "cold" is indicated. However I am a firm believer in do what you feel will benifit you most. Sometimes I use cold some times I don't all depends on how I feel.

    Do you use anything for post work out suppliments? I would highly recommend a post work out/ recovery drink to take after a work out it.
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
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    Heat can make inflammation worse.
  • BroiledNotFried
    BroiledNotFried Posts: 446 Member
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    Thanks everyone for your comments. I am almost 100% better today. I have a very nasty bruise to my left thigh - where another skater's toe pick went into my leg. It's about an inch and a half total black & blue. It's not even sore.

    Yes, I've used those recovery drinks. They are awesome. But, I did not use this now as I am trying very hard to lose about 20 pounds.
  • nefbaker
    nefbaker Posts: 79
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    you could try Poweraide Zero....or eating a banana, it will give you extra potassium to help with the soreness.

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