What is better for knee pain heat or cold?

Applying alternative hot and cold therapy on the painful or a swollen knee will help reduce the intensity of the pain. It can also reduce the swelling. Essential heat therapy or thermotherapy use a hot water bottle or hot pads that can be heated in a microwave. For cold treatment or cryotherapy, a water bottle filled with cold water, a pad cooled in the freezer, or frozen vegetables from the fridge can be used. Don't apply the ice directly on the skin. Alternative hot and cold therapy will be great help as it will effectively increase the blood flow to the injured knee.

Heat therapy relaxes the muscles, thereby improving the lubrication which reduces the stiffness felt in the joints. It also helps enhance the mobility of the knee in the morning, and in the evening, it reduces the swelling. Ice therapy, on the other hand, will reduce the pain, inflammation, and the swelling by decreasing the blood flow to the knee. Cold therapy helps in making the inflamed tissues and muscles numb, thereby reducing the pain.

Applying heat to a swollen area will expand the blood vessels, prop up blood flow, and help sore and tautened muscles relax. Enhanced circulation can help get rid of the lactic acid buildup. Heat is also sensitively comforting, which can increase its analgesic properties. In many cases, heat therapy is more effective than cold when it comes to treating chronic muscle pain or sore joints due to arthritis. Heat relaxes the muscles after a hectic day of stress and work pressure. Precaution should be taken before trying heat therapy.