Is it best to use heat or ice for back pain?

Answer 1

I once injured my back which resulted in a bulging disk. My Chiropractor put me on an ice regimine from hell. 20 minutes on, 20 off. 20 on, 20 off. For as long as I could stand it. I did this for two days (when I was awake) and it really helped. Well, that and all the Aleve I was taking. He never meantioned heat though. Good luck. Ice. Heat causes the area to expand and swell, for a bulging disc, you want to stabalize and keep it from swelling until you can get to a Chiropractor.

Answer 2

Although your question seems simple and straightforward and you might think there is a simple answer for it, that is not the case.

From my experience as a chiropractic doctor for 42 years I gave up trying to figure this answer out for patients. Instead, for many years I explained to patients how to properly use both and advised them to try one and then the other to see which one worked best.

It seems more people respond better and get more Back pain relief from the use of cold packs, than to the use of heat in any form. Even so, there are those people who will generally get better results with heat. For this reason I suggest you should experiment to determine what works best for you.

Cold packs:

For applying a cold pack to the back it is faster and overall better to use the newer style re-useable blue gel ice pack. Always keep one or two in the freezer for any kind of injury or low back pain.

You can also use a plastic bag filled with ice cubes plus a small amount of water. Be sure to position the zipper part of the bag or the knot so it is at the top part of the bag to prevent leaks from getting you wet. Be sure the ice bag is large enough to cover the area of pain in the low back or hip that is bothering you.

Remove the ice pack from the skin after 20 minutes and allow the area to warm up for at least 40 minutes before applying it again.

Heat packs:

Use a moisture-proof electric heating pad kept at a low setting and placed over the area of the low back or hip that is bothering you, with a small towel that has been moistened with some hot water. Only purchase a heating pad if it has a built-in timer to automatically turn the heating pad off. his will give you a great moist heat treatment that will continue for as long as the heating pad keeps it warm.

Do not keep the heating pad on the skin for longer than 20 minutes at a time to protect you from getting burned if you fall asleep while resting with it in place.

Alternating hot and cold applications:

Try alternating hot and cold packs applied to the area of greatest back discomfort. In doing this, always start with heat and end with cold. Each hot or cold pack is applied for 5 minutes

You can do four cycles, (hot-cold-hot-cold for a total of 20 minutes) or six cycles (hot-cold-hot-cold-hot-cold for a total of 30 minutes) or more if you wish; just always begin with hot and end with cold.

Experiment a bit to learn what method gives you greatest pain relief.

Answer 3

Alternating is best. Heat relaxes the surrounding muscles. Ice reduces inflammation.