Hot and Cold

[BP4MS]

Hot or cold packs—or sometimes a combination of the two—can be soothing to chronically sore, stiff backs. Heat dilates the blood vessels, both improving the supply of oxygen that the blood takes to the back and reducing muscle spasms. Heat also alters the sensation of pain. Cold may reduce inflammation by decreasing the size of blood vessels and the flow of blood to the area. Although cold may feel painful against the skin, it numbs deep pain. Applying heat or cold may relieve pain, but it does not cure the cause of chronic back pain.

[Chriswa]

Hot or cold packs—or sometimes a combination of the two—can be soothing to chronically sore, stiff backs. Heat dilates the blood vessels, both improving the supply of oxygen that the blood takes to the back and reducing muscle spasms. Heat also alters the sensation of pain. Cold may reduce inflammation by decreasing the size of blood vessels and the flow of blood to the area. Although cold may feel painful against the skin, it numbs deep pain. Applying heat or cold may relieve pain, but it does not cure the cause of chronic back pain.

This is also noted in another thread as a passive treatment of back pain.

[admin]

The usual recommendations seem to be:

- ICE in the FIRST 48 hours - to slows swelling and inflammation and act as a local anesthetic

- Heat after 48 hours - to increase blood flow to the deep tissues and relax muscle spasms

[Paula]

...Applying heat or cold may relieve pain, but it does not cure the cause of chronic back pain.

Heat alone might not "cure" chronic back pain, but in my 20 years experience heat always eased the pain enough for me to exercise, so I could build up the strength in my back and core muscles. I reckon I am now 98% pain-free.

[anjana agrawal]

Hi all,
Heat therapy is beneficial in relieving from pain at lower back and other parts as I used this therapy. Actually I was suffering from lower back pain and doctors suggest heat therapy. I did same and after this treatment I got very impressive results. It decreases the transmission of pain signals to the brain and help to partially relief from back pain.