My boyfriend has had back problems it seems like forever! Every 4-6 months he blows out his back and is immobile for 2-3 days, everytime we go to the doctor they give him pain pills...should we also use heat packs or cold packs--which one is better??
2006-06-27 07:24:54 · 13 answers · asked by Panthers Kitty 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Cold Therapy: vasoconstriction - decreases tissue swelling and bleeding, decreases hematoma formation, decreases inflammation, decreases metabolic needs of injured tissue, decreases firing of pain nerve receptors, decreases muscle spasms.
Best for: acute injuries, chronic injuries, after exercise
Heat Therapy: vasodilation - increases circulation (increases swelling and inflammation), increases ligament, capsule, and muscle elasticity, increases leukocyte and phagocyte migration, increases metabolic process, decreases pain, decreases muscle spams.
Best for: chronic injuries, before exercise
2006-07-01 05:20:06 · answer #1 · answered by realove336 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should try using both of them not at the same time of couse but trying using a cold pack for 10 minutes then try using the hot pack for 10 minutes. Its worth the try to see what happens. You know as they say pain pills dont always solve the problem. Also try rubbing him with alcohol if he will let you because the rubbing alcohol will soothe his back muscles.
2006-06-27 07:38:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both. But it also depends on individual needs. If his back is feeling "tight" use heat. If it's sore, use ice. If he can't decide between the two, use both. Try heat in the morning for 15 minutes, ice in the afternoon for 15 minutes...etc, alternating. Hope this helps.
2006-06-27 09:42:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat. It will sting some of the pain away. After that you can put a dab of cold on it, like some ice and then rub his back.
2006-06-27 07:29:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat packs.....Im not a nurse my sister is, but I am a distributor for a food broker and I can tell you that the heat pads are scientifically researched to work best for back pain. it provides the most comfort to the area....
2006-06-27 07:27:22 · answer #5 · answered by Londontown! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heat loosens the muscles, while cold reduces swelling. Usually a combo of both is good.
2006-06-27 07:28:06 · answer #6 · answered by q2003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
head is the only part of the body which requires cold packs.also for apandisite you gotta b carefull not to use hot packs.otherwise whatever the pain is you'd better use up a hot one.
2006-06-27 07:32:47 · answer #7 · answered by sandra a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think yoga is the only remedy for backpain thats what my doctor suggested even i have backpain from last three years and no medicine could cure it only yoga proved to be helpful.So try this out.
2006-06-27 08:26:05 · answer #8 · answered by Res J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
heat packs becasue they help the pain go away. but ask his doctor, just incase.
2006-06-27 07:28:25 · answer #9 · answered by blah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cold initially then heat after a month
2006-06-27 07:26:32 · answer #10 · answered by wjdoyle35 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋