There are more cold receptors than there are hot. Therefore when you stimulate the cold receptors it blocks more pain. Ice reduces inflammation and irritation in the muscles, joints, and nerves. Ice treatment should last about 10 minutes on an extremity, and 15-20 minutes over the lower back region. Never ice longer than 20 minutes, as blood circulation must be maintained to the tissue.
Heat is a very pleasing therapy for pain sufferers.
Moist heat is the preferred type of heat. Dry heat dries the tissue out too much. Infra-Red heat will warm the tissues deeply, not just on the surface. Everybody loves massage. The massagers listed to the left are all very high quality.