Women's Health—February 1, 2016
Women's Health Magazine features an article written by Cindy Kuzma that explains the different uses of heat and cold therapy after a workout or sports injury. The article mentions that cold therapy causes a chemical reaction of a given area that slows to a crawl, including those that contribute to swelling and inflammation.
According to Jessica Hettler, PT, a physical therapist at Hospital for Special Surgery, "Ice quickly constricts the blood vessels in your skin and underlying tissues, decreasing blood flow." Meanwhile, heat therapy operates the opposite way, opening up blood vessels and increasing blood flow, delivering nutrients that allow cramping muscles to relax.
To read the full article, visit WomensHealthMag.com. (This article originally published on Prevention.com in 2013 and was also published on Bicycling.com.)
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