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Po-tay-to or Po-tah-to?
Dear Tony,
My friend and I had a debate the other day over what was the better way to treat a pulled muscle. She said you should put heat on it. I said you should put ice on it. Who is right?
Shelley C., Las Vegas, NV |
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A: |
Dear Shelley:
You both are right. Each has a place in treating an injury. Right after you tear or pull a muscle, tendon or ligament, you should use ice to reduce the swelling and numb the pain. Ice for 15 minutes. Once the swelling and pain have subsided, switch to heat, which encourages the flow of blood to the area and promotes healing. Depending on the severity of the injury, you should ice for 48 to 72 hours before beginning the heat treatment. If you find yourself feeling just a little bit sore from your workout, try taking a hot bath to relax and soothe your muscles.
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