hot vs cold for sore muscles?

After a tough workout that leaves your muscles tight and sore what's the best use of a hot-tub, cold shower, and hot shower to help relax your muscles? I'm not sure if heat or cold is better, or alternating between the two. I recently sat in a hot-tub for 10 min, then took a cold shower after a workout and it seemed to help. Does starting with hot or starting with cold make a difference? People often hold ice packs on their shoulders after a practice but I don't think taking a cold shower has the same effect.