Now let’s talk heat, my favorite form of therapy. There are heating lamps, heating pads, hot tubs, hot showers, pain creams with cayenne pepper and even ultrasound, which is a form of heat. I know what you are going to ask which works the best. Personally, I love the hot tub.
http://www.losethebackpain.com/treatments/ice-or-heat-for-back-pain/
Heat should also be applied for only 30-minute intervals. Know that, when heat it is applied over an area of acute injury, active inflammation or swelling can get worse, as heat causes vasodilatation (opening of the small blood vessels), the opposite of ice. Another danger of using a heating pad is burning the skin.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/first-aid/ice-or-heat-for-injury.htm
The best way to answer it, I have found, is to explain exactly what ice and heat do and why they help relieve pain. Once you understand the mechanism behind these treatments, you’ll be more likely to use them when your own back pain flares up.
http://www.losethebackpain.com/treatments/ice-or-heat-for-back-pain/
Heat does have a place in chronic injury and after the acute phase of injury. It is not always easy to say exactly when heat is acceptable in injury care, so I tend to stick with ice until all the swelling is gone and the pain is tolerable.
http://www.runnersworld.com/ask-the-sports-doc/should-i-use-ice-or-heat-on-an-injury
When an injury first occurs, use ice first. This is true whether the injury is acute (caused by some trauma like lifting something heavy or sitting too long) or subacute (a flare-up of a chronic condition, like sciatica). It’s also important to use ice fast.
http://www.losethebackpain.com/treatments/ice-or-heat-for-back-pain/
Swelling from tissue damage slows this process. Heat promotes blood flow and increases swelling in the acute phase, so immediately following injury, heat will increase swelling and harm the healing process. Cold reduces blood flow, decreases swelling, relieves pain, and promotes better healing.
http://www.runnersworld.com/ask-the-sports-doc/should-i-use-ice-or-heat-on-an-injury
Heat can also help relax tight muscles or muscle spasms. Don't apply heat after exercise. After a workout, ice is the better choice on a chronic injury. Because heat increases circulation and raises skin temperature, you should not apply heat to acute injuries or injuries that show signs of inflammation. Safely apply heat to an injury 15 to 20 minutes at a time and use enough layers between your skin and the heating source to prevent burns. Moist heat is best, so you could try using a hot wet towel. You can buy special athletic hot packs or heating pads if you use heat often.
https://www.verywell.com/ice-or-heat-an-injury-3119409
Remember that heat and ice are not the solution to long-term pain relief. They are the paths to the solution. The goal of both ice and heat is to break the pain-spasm cycle and allow you to do the stretching exercises that build muscle strength and flexibility. That’s what brings prolonged pain relief.
http://www.losethebackpain.com/treatments/ice-or-heat-for-back-pain/
In chronic injuries, heat can relieve pain and loosen tissues. Ice packing cools the surrounding tissues, and it is critical that the ice be removed before the tissue freezes. Fifteen to 20 minutes on and 15 to 20 minutes off is a reasonable cycle for icing an injury.
http://www.runnersworld.com/ask-the-sports-doc/should-i-use-ice-or-heat-on-an-injury
I get conflicting answers when I ask the question. You may unsubscribe at any time. In the face of an acute injury, like an ankle sprain, ice works to keep the swelling down, which allows the injured parts to stay physically close in the repair process. Once an injury occurs, the repair process follows in three phases.
http://www.runnersworld.com/ask-the-sports-doc/should-i-use-ice-or-heat-on-an-injury
when do you apply heat vs cold to an injury
In chronic injuries, heat can relieve pain and loosen tissues. Ice packing cools the surrounding tissues, and it is critical that the ice be removed before the tissue freezes.