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A member asked:
Why ice a muscle after a workout? what is the benifit, why not just put heat?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
Ice better: After a workout or pt your muscles have been contracting and can get inflamed and swell from more blood being directed to them.Ice decreases this swelling by vasoconstricting(decreasing the size)of the blood vessels, thus less swelling and ususally less pain.Heat may feel better temporarily but actually will vasodilate the blood vessels and cause more swelling and pain.
Answered 11/21/2013
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