Any medical people out there that can tell me

[lynn]

If we need heat or ice for a pulled muscle? DS trying out for football team overdid push ups and heard a pop in his bicep it's red for about 2" from elbow. We gave him advil and for now I have an ice pac but am thinking heat. Whats the thought hive mind.....

[Rachel]

Ice is called for in a new injury like that. Heat increases blood flow to an area creating more swelling so you want ice to actually slow down the blood flow to decrease swelling to the area. Make sure you alternate 20 minutes on 20 minutes off.

Older injuries can benefit from heat/ice alternations.

[Carol in Cal.]

Give him aspirin to reduce/prevent inflamation.

He should rest the muscle today, and keep it elevated over his head as much as possible. If you have a sprained ankle tape, wrap it around the area to compress it--that tends to reduce inflamation and swelling as well.

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

As the PP posters recommended, the doc said RICE for those types of injuries:

REST
ICE
COMPRESSION
ELEVATION

[abbeyej]

Ice, no heat.

[dalynnrmc]

Ice is called for in a new injury like that. Heat increases blood flow to an area creating more swelling so you want ice to actually slow down the blood flow to decrease swelling to the area. Make sure you alternate 20 minutes on 20 minutes off.

Older injuries can benefit from heat/ice alternations.

Remember to protect the skin from frostbite by using some sort of thin cloth between the ice and the skin. 20 on, 20 off, is EXCELLENT advice.

[Alice]

Ice is good for about 24-48 hours. After that it doesn't do much.