[ Ссылка ] Dr. Mark Knaub gives you advice on when to use heat or ice for relieving back pain.
One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from people experiencing back pain is whether to apply heat or ice. For the majority of people with back pain, heat should be applied quickly after the first signs of pain. Heat helps to heal an injury or flare up by loosening and relaxing the muscles. It decreases the amount of back spasms and increases blood flow so that blood can reach the part of the muscle that needs healing. The exception to using heat is if you've never had back pain before and you injure your back. In this case, you should apply ice for the first 48 hours to decrease inflammation.
After 48 hours, you should then apply heat. When applying heat or ice, it's important to develop a routine and apply 3 times a day for 15 to 20 minutes. Use ice no longer than 2 days and then apply heat for a week or 2 until the pain subsides. Icing and heating can be done in combination with taking over the counter medications like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen which can help alleviate the pain and promote healing. Visit www.thebackcoach.org for more information about your back health.
