Why do extreme temperatures (hot and cold) make sore muscles feel better?
In: Biology
Pain is a signal from your nerves. The signal travels on small fibres.
When you put hot or cold on your body other nerves feel this sensation, but send it over big fibres.
Both meet up at the spine but the signals that come in on the big fibres are given priority.
This is called gate control theory is why both hot and cold work.
Other things are also happening. Cold constricts blood vessels, reducing swelling. If swelling is what is causing the pain, there will be less pain. Cold also slows down how fast nerves can send signals. Fewer signals = less pain.
Heat lets more blood enter the area. This brings nutrients. Sometimes pain is caused because muscles or structures aren’t getting enough nutrients so they ‘cramp’ up. The extra blood lets them relax, which can reduce pain.
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