Ice vs Heat for Pain, Inflammation and Soreness

Ice or Heat After Bodywork? Here’s What Your Body Might Actually Need

If you’ve ever walked out of a bodywork session feeling a little sore—or even a little unsure about what to do next—you’re not alone.

One of the most common questions I hear from clients after a myopractic session is:

“Should I use ice or heat?”

It’s a simple question, but the answer can make a real difference in how your body integrates the work and how quickly you feel the benefits.

Let’s break it down.

When Ice Is the Better Choice

If your body is feeling inflamed, swollen, or freshly aggravated, ice is usually the way to go.

This is especially true after a session that involved structural work or realignment. Your body is adapting to a new pattern, and that shift can sometimes create temporary inflammation as your system recalibrates.

Ice helps by:

• Reducing inflammation
• Numbing sharp or acute pain
• Limiting excess fluid buildup in the tissue

Use ice when you notice:

• Sudden soreness or flare-ups
• Swelling around joints or muscles
• Soreness after a myopractic session

How to apply it:
10 to 15 minutes is usually enough. Once the area feels numb, the ice has done its job. After that, let your body take over the healing process.

When Heat Makes More Sense

If your discomfort feels more like tightness, stiffness, or tension, heat may be more helpful.

Heat encourages blood flow, softens tissue, and helps muscles relax—making it easier to move and breathe more freely.

Use heat when you notice:

• Stiffness in the neck, back, or hips
• General muscle tightness
• A dull, achy feeling rather than sharp pain

How to apply it:
10 to 20 minutes is usually enough to help the area open up. Just remember—heat won’t reduce inflammation, so if there’s swelling or even soreness, stick with ice.

What If You’re Not Sure?

Sometimes, your body is dealing with both inflammation and tension. In those cases, alternating between ice and heat can be incredibly effective.

This contrast therapy helps:

• Stimulate circulation
• Move fluid through the tissue
• Support your body’s natural recovery process

Pro tip:
It doesn’t matter which one you start with—just make sure to end with cold to finish in an anti-inflammatory state.

After a Myopractic Session

After a myopractic session, your body has been guided into a more functional alignment. That’s a good thing—but even positive change takes energy to process.

There may be some soreness, especially if your body is letting go of long-held patterns.
In most cases, ice is the best first step to support that transition.

You can alternate with heat if that feels helpful—just remember to finish with cold.

This simple step can help extend the benefits of your session and support long-term improvements in mobility and function.

A Few Practical Tips

• If either ice or heat feels too intense, stop. A thin cloth between your skin and the source can help.
• A soft, fabric-covered ice pack is usually more comfortable than hard or soft plastic.
• Larger packs can cover more area and often feel better.
• Choose what works for your body and your budget—comfort matters.

Want a More Detailed Breakdown?

This is just a quick overview.
If you want a deeper dive into when to use ice, when to use heat, and how to alternate them effectively—especially after bodywork—I’ve written a full guide that walks you through it.

👉 Click here to read the full article
(It’ll take you to my newsletter archive, where I share practical tools like this to help you get the most out of your sessions.)