Hot/Cold Therapy

Heat or cold, and when to reach for each

Cold is what most trainers reach for pitch-side to cool a sore spot. Heat suits a stiff, tight muscle or an older niggle, and it's handy for loosening up before activity rather than straight after a session. For anything more than a minor knock, or if soreness and swelling aren't settling over a few days, see a physiotherapist or doctor before you push on.

What's in the range

Reusable gel packs go from the freezer for cold work to the microwave for heat, so one pack covers both. The instant ice pack is the sideline option where there's no freezer: squeeze it and it goes cold on the spot. A hot and cold pack sleeve, or ice wrap, holds a pack firmly against a knee, ankle or shoulder so it stays put hands-free. Deep Heat patches and Metsal heat rub round out the change-room kit; use them strictly as directed on the label.

Hot and cold therapy sits alongside the rest of our recovery and rehab range, and if you're kitting a season from scratch, pair it with our strapping tape range. Straptor is Australian-owned, with the club discount across the recovery range, kitted and shipped nationwide, with walk-in at our East Bendigo store.