08/13/2025
❄️🔥 Ice or Heat? Here’s How to Choose
When you’re hurting, it’s natural to reach for something warm—heat feels soothing, comforting, and familiar. But is it always the best choice? 🤔
Let’s break it down:
💡 When to Use Ice
Great for: Fresh injuries, swelling, inflammation (think sprains, bruises, or flare-ups)
Why: Ice slows blood flow to the area, helping reduce swelling and numbing pain
How long: 10–20 minutes at a time, then let your skin return to normal temperature before reapplying
Important: Never apply ice directly to bare skin—use a thin cloth or towel
💡 When to Use Heat
Great for: Stiff muscles, chronic aches, or stress tension
Why: Heat increases blood flow, relaxes muscles, and eases stiffness
How long: 15–20 minutes at a time
When to avoid: If the area is swollen, red, or freshly injured—heat can make inflammation worse
💆 In Your Massage Session
If you know heat tends to make things worse for you, please tell us so we can skip hot stones or warm towels. Your comfort is always the priority—and sometimes, a cool touch is exactly what your body needs.
✨ The Bottom Line: Ice is for calming down fresh pain, heat is for loosening up long-term tension. And when in doubt? Ask your therapist—we’ll help you choose the right option for your body.
Question for you: Are you a Team Ice 🧊 or Team Heat 🔥 person when you’re sore? Tell us in the comments!