Inflammation, a natural body process, can be battled in a variety of different ways. One of these therapies, heat therapy, is one that is commonly employed in situations where one wants to increase blood flow and make connective tissues more flexible, as is found in chronic conditions. It can also be used in cases of edema or in cases where cartilage has been worn away. Cold therapy, in contrast is used in numbing of tissues and relieving muscle spasms and pain. Usually this can be used for flare-ups or inflammatory arthritis.
The differences between hot and cold therapies