ice for the first 72 hours - in intervals. Heat after that

Thank you, Devorah!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

A physical therapist just told me yesterday to use ice for swelling & inflamation ( like for joints) and heat for muscles.

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 10Â30 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??

When I had a broken arm, heat made it worse, ice almost stopped the pain. Try both.

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.

I agree, ice for swelling, heat for muscle relaxation. Feel better soon!

Here is a little different approach. Electromagnetic pulse will start the blood flow better and remove inflammation. I used a unit I made using the Dr Bob Beck protocol and it works like a charm relives most pain in minuets and no drug side effects.

Hubby's back pain from something he did is relieved with cold packs; my back pain (same exact spot from similar activity I do!) does not respond to ice packs.. the heating pad give me relief! So, guess for minor aches & pains one needs to find which works for them by 'trial & error'?! I find no topical creme or NSAID helps at all for me!

I will tell you something that works better for my back pain, a body pillow. Someone told me to get a body pillow for the pain in my rotator cuff. I put it between my knees and put my arm over it which kept the pressure off the cuff. The bonus was it stopped 98% of my morning back pain. Now I have 2 BPs and don't have to drag it from side to side. It is very warm laying between those to pillows.

For neck pain, a big thick towel rolled up & placed under the neck (head itself on the regular pillow) really helps take pressure off the neck when sleeping & supports the neck. Works while sleeping on the back or on the side. Yes, for me a pillow under the knees elevates the knees when sleeping on the back, takes the pressure off the small part of the back & supports it.

I have always been told that you should only lay on a rolled towel for no longer than 15 or 20 minutes. I had a few years of dizzy spells, passed out one time and broke my humorous in 3 places. I woke up one night, was sick to my stomach and so dizzy I could not walk. That is when I realized it was the bean neck pillow. I threw it away and never had a serious dizzy spell since. I also have a friend with the disease that starts with an m, mineras or something like that. He passes out all of the time and he believes it is the position of his neck when he has problems. So be careful about laying on a towel or semi hard pillow.

Emma: thanks for the important info.! I guess if the roll was too hard or too big it could cause pressure on the neck nerves/vessels ! The Physicaal Therapist was the one who recommended it for me & it does seem to help; sleeping in the recliner though is the best for me! There are some rather $$ foam pillows I read that conform to the shape of the neck & head ... have you tried them? They would seem to cushion the neck & skull better
but hate to spend the $$ if they didn't work either!

I am a 64 year old male and have suffered from severe lower Back Pain
for at least 30 years. The pain is not constant - or I would go crazy. I
find relief from the pain by doing stretching and strengthening
exercises. After about 2 weeks of exercises the pain diminishes or
ceases all together. I should keep up the exercises constantly but,
being human, when the pain disappears, I stop the exercises.

I'm currently awaiting a steroid shot in a lower disc to alleviate lower back and sciatic nerve pain. My Ortho doctor gave me some exercises to do and said I'd need to do them daily for the rest of my life.