2007-06-22 14:27:06 · 13 answers · asked by Druid Getafix 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
It can sometimes depend on whether or not it's from an injury. Heat can in some cases cause more inflammation. If it's close to the spine,be very cautious. If you use heat, first thing in the morning because that's when your core body temp is as its lowest. Then apply the ice pack 10-20 minutes at a time as necessary every 2 hrs. Have a barrier between the ice and your skin so you don't damage nerve endings and skin tissue. I've pulled muscles in my back and I've had a disc replaced so this is a message from experience.
2007-06-22 14:39:22 · answer #1 · answered by suzi q 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are active or not ... that's what you need to ask yourself. If you are finished with your activity or sport, ice the muscles. Ice constricts the muscles and "sends them back" to their original size and state. It's the same principle as putting ice on your head or neck when you have a headache. Heat tends to relax the muscle, in a way spreading it out a bit. If you are still "in the game" or on the field in the activity, then heat the muscles. You will want them relaxed and loose to be ready for more activity. If you are settled for the night, ice your back first (maybe for a few minutes) then heat it and turn in for the evening.
The old fashioned water bottles work best. You can use them for both ice (add ice and cold water) and heat (just add very hot tap water and it will be incredibly warm for a long time!). The problem with things like bengay or iceyhot or even the patches that offer both are that sometimes one sensation is often more powerful than the other and is more than you can stand at times.
2007-06-22 14:40:21 · answer #2 · answered by daizeydee33 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back Ice Pack
2016-10-01 07:58:24 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First 3 days after an injury no heat only ice. If this is not an injury and you have a chronic sore back moist heat and massage the muscles.
2007-06-22 23:39:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ice, ice ice baby ice. putting heat on it will only make it hurt longer. I know this cause I have MS and many times I get a sore neck from pinched nerve, the physical therpist says to put cold packs on a sore neck or any sore muscles. I am sorry it hurts so bad. As much as it hurts to move it, continue to move your neck left and right to keep it from getting stiff. Take Care
2016-03-14 05:57:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should take some ibuprofen to help dull the pain, as for ice pack or heat... I would suggest using warm moist heat. This should help loosen up the muscles in your back. or if you have a really sweet significant other, maybe you could talk them into a back rub using icy hot to rub into the muscles. Pain permitting of course.
2007-06-22 14:35:14 · answer #6 · answered by shelby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what caused the pain. If you're in pain because of tension, then heat is what you need, in order to relax the muscles. If, on the other hand, you've strained your back to the point of a strain, then cold is what you want, to prevent pinprick bleeding of the muscles. It's hard to sprain your back unless you did something REALLY unusual for you, so if I had to make the call, I'd go with heat. You can also take a dose of aspirin or ibuprofen.
2007-06-22 14:31:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heat. Ice is only for immediate injury and to reduce swelling. Heat will help relax tight muscles that usually cause back ache
2007-06-22 14:35:04 · answer #8 · answered by fangtaiyang 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alternate the ice and heat for 15 minutes ice and 20 minutes heat. Causes the muscles to slowly and painlessly relax.
2007-06-22 14:34:31 · answer #9 · answered by iraq51 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ice for inflammation (injury), heat for muscle pain. Ice decreases inflammation by restricting blood flow, heat increases blood flow and helps tight muscles relax.
2007-06-22 14:34:21 · answer #10 · answered by mannon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋