Ice or Heat for Neck and Lower Back Pain Relief
Ever wondered if ice or heat is better for treating your neck or back pain? In this quick video, Dr. Rowe goes over which is more beneficial, and the answer might surprise you...
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So your low back is screaming at you for overdoing it, and you’re wondering if ice or heat would be better for pain relief. Which do you choose? In this quick video, I’ll help answer that and hopefully get you feeling some relief.
Hi everyone, Dr. Rowe here at SpineCare Decompression and Chiropractic Center in St. Joseph, MI.
So let’s dive right in and tackle the ice or heat dilemma for lower back pain. It’s pretty simple actually, when it comes to neck or low back pain, I usually don’t recommend putting ice on it.
Why is this? Well, to start with, ice can actually make your back or neck more sensitive. The chilling effect of the ice can cause soft tissue to tense up, causing more muscle tightness and increased sensitivity or pain later on.
If you’ve ever experienced a neck or back injury, you definitely know the effects of trigger points, or muscle knots that can be painful to the touch. The muscle spasms and cramping that cause trigger points can, likewise, be made worse by the chilling effect of ice.
However, if you feel ice gives you more relief, then by all means keep using it. However, I’d recommend comparing it to heat and see if you get more relief.
So why heat over ice? Heat helps increase blood flow to the affected area, which promotes healing while also loosening tension in the soft tissue around the back. This helps decrease neck and lower back muscle stiffness, and increases flexibility.
Heat is better for patients with chronic aches and pains too, such as spinal degeneration and arthritic conditions. In short: heat loosens you up, gets you moving around easier, and makes you feel more relaxed. That’s a win in my book when it comes to dealing with a stiff neck or back.
One main point I want to make about using heat: don’t use it for treating inflammation, swelling, or bruising… especially with new injuries. It can actually make it worse. If you’re unsure of when to use heat or ice, always get a professional opinion.
I’ll leave you guys with a quick guide on how to use ice or heat properly. If you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
Thanks for watching!