Does heat or ice help arthritis?

Look, it's very simple. If your joint is stiff and hurts to move in the morning, use heat. If it is red, hot, and swollen, do not use heat; use ice to bring the swelling down. Don't mix up the two.

My knees are like weather reporters; they hate the cold morning air. I usually sleep with a hot water bag near my legs just to be able to get out of bed without creaking like an old wooden door. Ice is only for when I accidentally overdo my walking.

Both heat and cryotherapy have clinically proven benefits for arthritis, but they target different phases. Heat relaxes muscles and improves joint elasticity, while ice constricts blood vessels to reduce acute inflammation. A physical therapist can guide you on the best protocol for your stage of arthritis.

I once used a heating pad on a severely swollen arthritic knee, and it ended up aggravating the joint fluid buildup, which required medical aspiration. Please be very careful and ask your orthopaedic doctor exactly what to use for your specific condition.