There is considerable uncertainty/debate over how to treat the arm after pitching or when it is sore from throwing.  First, we must clarify the difference between arm soreness and arm pain.  Soreness is the natural fatigue in the arm that results from a significant amount of throwing.  Sore arms generally recover in a reasonable amount of time.  Arm pain is different and is more of an acute sensation with pain felt to the touch or when the arm is positioned in a certain manner.  Arm pain needs to be communicated to your coaches immediately and the player should see a doctor.  There should not be pain in the arm after throwing.  If there is pain, the treatment should be ice and anti-inflammatories.  However, for general arm soreness, the proper treatment for quick recovery is HEAT.  Never ice.  Repeat - for sore arm recovery the proper treatment is heat.  No ice.  No anti-inflammatories.  In addition to heat, there should be some light arm massage/arm movements incorporated into the recovery process.

Below are three videos that address the heat vs. ice discussion.  Please view these videos as they delve into the medical reasoning behind using heat and explain why ice and anti-inflammatories actually hurts the recovery process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPkO4niu7vg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvtW1DMCaJ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UmJVgEWZu4    (start watching at two minutes - technical discussion/interesting)