Why do extreme temperatures (hot and cold) make sore muscles feel better?
In: Biology
I’ll try my best for an ELI5: ~~when we do exercise the muscles in our bodies do loads of little burps as they work. These burps can build up and cause our muscles to feel sore. Some people like to get into really really cold water because this can help! When we get in the cold water our brain worries a little bit about how cold it is and so it pulls the blood from our muscles to help keep us warm. But this also pulls the burps out too! Then when we get out of the water the blood goes back to our muscles but without those burps stinking up the joint! Instead the burps have been replaced with good things our muscles need to heal!~~
(Edit: I know it’s not gases but kids like burps, hell I’m 37 and I like burps hahaha)
Edit 2: thanks for all the love all and to the kind bestower of gold! My very first ever
**Edit 3:** well sorry folks looks like I’ve been spreading misinformation! I’d always thought that lactic acid build-up was one of the causes of pain in muscles post exercise when it isn’t. Seeing as this post was created around a false premise I’ll strike it. Many thanks to u/brerchicken for the heads up!
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