hot or cold?

[the block]

theres deep heat which warms up the area its sprayed on, facilitating blood flow blah blah & then theres deep freeze which constricts blood flow.

how do you know which to use for when?

[Scourge]

I'm not really sure how Deep Heat/Freeze etc. compare to a direct heat/cold source tbh.

I'm not 100% but I think, if in doubt, cool the area first, as this doesn't carry any risk of aggravating the problem. If cold doesn't work, then use heat. (If you heat up a pull/sprain, you can make it worse IIRC).

[the block]

cheers

[BengDogg]

I have used deep heat and ralgex for lower back pain and on my legs during endurance races to help keep things going, i have never used a freezing spray yet, but i do wonder if it could help in similar circumstances?

[the block]

possibly. i picked it up 1 day so as to try something different being a connosoir (sp) and all that. its cold when you first put it on but then its sort of hot like cold-hot. i prefer it to deep heat.

[Scourge]

Best thing I've found for sprains, aches, general muscle fatigue is some strange brown liquid they sell in Chinese general stores (or in Chinese medicine shops, with a 300% mark-up for non-Orientals). The direct translation is 'bones water'. It feels like your skin is being burnt, and frozen and being flayed away from your flesh. You normally pass out after that. It also smells bad.

On the plus side, it stops the rest of your body hurting.