Heat boosts the flow of blood and nutrients to an area of the body. It often works best for morning stiffness or to warm up muscles before activity. Cold slows blood flow, reducing swelling and pain. It’s often best for short-term pain, like that from a sprain or a strain.
You can use either heat or cold to sooth aches and pains from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, and fibromyalgia. The treatment also can help:
- Muscle aches, spasms, and pains
- Lower and upper back pain
- Stiff, swollen, or tender joints
- Neck stiffness
- Finger, hand, or wrist pain
- Knee pain