Originally Posted by
GioFerrante
I used to run for distance back in my high school days, and I always got shin splints (MTSS). They would persist. until I stopped running, and come back any time I ran over 10 miles per week. The coaches and trainers would strap ice to my shins after every workout, but it never did help. I do remember seeing some literature that ice reduced time to heal for acute injuries. I noticed that ice always helped me out with a sprained ankle from my time playing basketball. For chronic, long term type injury or for recovery, ice is quite useless.
Heat and/or massage may not do a thing physiologically that we can demonstrate other than perhaps some increased blood-flow, but they always seem to get my mind in a very relaxed state. Getting immediately relaxed after a tough workout is very useful, especially when I do evening workouts with some caffeine or pre-workout. I will often have trouble mellowing out after amping myself up for a heavy strength workout. Sleep is vital for recovery, and I like heat/massage as a tool for relaxing for sleep. Can be useful.