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Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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Posted by suzieque (My Page) on Sat, Jun 17, 06 at 19:57
| Hi - The good news: I played my best round of golf ever today (woo-hoo!). The bad news: On the 2nd to the last hole my (already tender) back gave out; I couldn't play the last two at all.
It's very low back; I can hardly walk. Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but not much! I've done 600 mg. ibupropen twice already, with no apparent relief. Just took 2 Aleve.
Should I ice it or lay on a heating pad? (I hope you say ice, because it's very hot and humid here today!). I just don't know when to do which.
Thanks! (ouch).
Suzieque |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| ice for the first 72 hours - in intervals. Heat after that |
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| My doctor has told me that ice will always make the pain worse. I only use the heat for little periods of time.It helps right then and when I get through with it here the pain comes again. |
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| Sansan, that is very odd advice or at least contrary to mainstream medical advice. The point of using ice first is that it will reduce any swelling and it is the pressure from swelling that causes much of the pain. Using heat later is to sooth the inflammation. |
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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I always used to use heat for things (except in that first 12 hours of an injury), but I've learned from my sports doc that you should always use ice.
But.....sometimes, heat just feels better! so I'd say use whichever makes you feel better. You could try ice first, and if that didn't help at all, go for the heat.
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RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| I have to agree with devorah. I have had to use the ice, then heat. Sometimes it helps to relax in a hot tub of water (scented of course:) But if the pain continues too long, have it checked out by a doctor, It doesn't take much to slip a disc. |
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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Hi, I was told to try a product calle Biofreeze. It has a cooling and heating effect. It comes in a roll on applicator, too,, (so you don't get it on your hands!!)
Good luck! |
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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From the physical therapists and sports medicine docs.
Ice is to prevent swelling and can temporarily numb the pain.
Heat is to sooth the muscles and relax them.
When having physical therapy, heat is used to loosen the muscles first, before any exercise is done and ice is offered after the session to relieve any pain.
In the case of over used muscles, they say to use moist heat for the pain. Good luck |
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| A physical therapist just told me yesterday to use ice for swelling & inflamation ( like for joints) and heat for muscles. |
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| Ice is most definitely the treatment of choice for an acute (sudden) injury as it reduces blood flow to the injured area. This helps to reduce swelling, inflammation, pain and muscle spasms. Ice should be used for 15-20 minutes about every 2 hours during the inflammatory phase of the injury. The inflammatory phase is usually the first 3 days following the injury. You should totally AVOID heat and massage to the injured area during this time because it will increases blood flow to the injured area and will likely result in increased inflammation, pain and swelling with probable prolonged recovery. Heat is recommended and usually very beneficial AFTER the inflammatory phase of an injury. Heat can help reduce pain and muscle spasms as well as reduce muscle tightness and joint stiffness. The recommended use of heat is for 10–30 minutes at a comfortable temperature applied to the injured area. Repeat 2-5 times daily and before exercise. Heat should not be used if there are residual inflammatory symptoms (such as pain at rest and/or achiness upon waking in the morning that eases with movement). If in doubt, don't use heat, use ice. For all acute injuries, always remember, RICE. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Ice or Heat??
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| Try both, I personally can not stand ice at all at any time!! It will make me throw up as an involuntary response. You may want to try moist heat as that will penetrate better than just heat alone. spa treatments for men |
Here is a link that might be useful: corporate massage therapy
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| When I had a broken arm, heat made it worse, ice almost stopped the pain. Try both. |
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| I had a broken arm couple of years ago and heat made the pain worse. Ice really, really helped. I just bought one of the heating pads that you can put in the freezer or micro wave instead of using a frozen bag of corn. It explained that ice helps pain. |
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| Ice therapy is very useful for certain types of back muscle injuries. Ice will work well for muscle strains and sprains, especially in the first 48 hours following the injury. Ice will reduce swelling and provide minor pain relief by numbing local tissue. Ice also slows down neurological impulses in the area forcing nerves to transmit less pain messages to the brain. |
Here is a link that might be useful: spinal stenosis
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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I second what carol04 says, I use Biofreeze in my Chiropractic Clinic and its both effective and convenient.
After the initial stage I prefer alternating ice/heat. |
Here is a link that might be useful: back pain
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| My doctor and chiropractor always tell me to ice first to reduce swelling then heat to increase circulation which promotes healing. I do both at short intervals to avoid causing discomfort to my skin. Now if only I could find a way to have my ergonomic chair automatically alternate between ice and heat... oh, maybe vibrate too, then I'd be a happy camper! |
RE: Back Pain - Heat or Ice?
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| It's important to get some exercise even if you're experiencing some pain. Physiotherapy can really be a godsend if you experience a lot of back pain. Both my sister and I visit physiotherapists and it makes all the difference in terms of well-being. |
Here is a link that might be useful: ergonomic chairs for back pain
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