my mom has a compressed disk in her back, would icy hot be ok to use?

Question

is there any suggestions on how she should sleep

Answer 1

No it is a nerve thing here I have a prolapsed disk it tends to ooze a substance which hits the main nerve column in my spine and can give much pain in my legs including spasm kicks I find taking a simple but not too strong pain killer which is not addictive gets me the sleep I need. Over 20 years I have developed a sleep regime that requires a short sleep each afternoon. As ive got older the pain with natural shrinkage of the bones is getting to be less.The pills are Panamax (paracetamol 500 grams ) 2 half an hr before bed.can be a little bit dopy some mornings after.

Answer 2

answers 3 + 4
see a chiropractor and massage therapist


Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 3

Yes, Icy Hot would help reduce the pain. The way I was told to sleep is to lay on my side. Hug a body pillow with my needs sort of bent, but not real tightly and my back straight.

Answer 4

Yes - my husband has been thru this on 4 disks. It often helps him to use moist heat first, then apply the icy hot. Occas. he alternatel ice and heat. His pain management doc told him to sleep on his side with a pillow (or two) between his knees to keep his legs straight at the same angle to his hips. That relieves some of the pressure. I hope she gets to a good doc and gets help soon. I know it can be miserable.

Answer 5

Yes, and it depends if it just happend.

When it just was strained, they want ice.

Then later in the day - warm, and/or icy hot.

However, for long term pain relief, I go to acupuncture - and it gives me mobility and takes away so much pain, amazing.

GOD bless us always.