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There are no stupid questions. Living with RA is a continuing learning experience and as you're relatively new on the path, you can't be expected to somehow magically know these things.   The thinking behind ice is that it will reduce inflammation - that's why it's used when you have an injury like a sprained ankle, especially for the first few days, as it keeps the inflammation from getting out of control. However, doctors prescribe generalities and sometimes forget to mention that the same thing doesn't always work in the same way for different people.   Personally, I've found that ice doesn't work for my RA-related issues (pain, swelling) at all. My joints generally need heat, whether it's a heating pad, a rice bag warmed in the microwave or keeping them warm in general with wrist warmers, woolen socks, etc. Ice, on the other hand, works really well for my tendon- and muscle-related pain and if I've done so much that I'm verging on injury. One side note on this is on the days where my joints have been swollen and hot and where heat just makes them feel more hot and swollen, putting e.g., my hands in cool (not cold) water eases the symptoms.   Trust your body. Trust yourself. Do what feels good to you and if heat works and cold doesn't, then use heat. Different kinds of pain require different solutions and you'll find out which pain needs what with some trial and error.