Women's Health reported on when to use heat vs. ice therapy for recovery and pain relief, including insight from Leigh-Ann Bramble, PT, DPT, EdD, COMT, physical therapist at HSS.

In regard to cold therapy: “It decreases that pain sensitivity in the body and it helps to cool off any nerve inflammation,” said Bramble.

You can use any form of thermal therapy—whether that’s a hot pack, warm bath, sauna, or steam room—for an injury. Directly applying a heating pad on the affected area, however, like your lower back, may help you “have a little bit more reactivity to that one specific spot because you're focusing there,” Bramble added.

In summary, if you feel sharp, shooting pain associated with an injury, choose cold therapy, said Bramble. But if it’s more of an achy, stiff, chronic sensation—go with heat.

Read the full article at womenshealth.com.