Back pain: ice and warmth can help you

Back pain is one of the most common and uncomfortable pains for those who suffer from it from time to time. Today on the Dispotech blog we will explain how the combined action of heat and ice can help you create a customised therapy to neutralise pain with maximum benefit. Before taking action, however, it is important to understand the nature and intensity of the pain. Read our article carefully, supported by information read on denverphysicalmedicine.com and spine-health.com.

The benefits of heat and cold can help you if you suffer from various kinds of back pain. While many people are already aware of their positive effects, many others underestimate them because they consider them too simple and economical to be truly effective. Well, that isn’t the case here!

Let’s start by making a list of the situations where you might use ice to reduce back pain. If the pain is acute and the result of a fall, a sporting accident, a sprain, an accident, then ice can be very helpful to you. In the 24 hours following the onset of pain (and up to 72 hours afterwards), you can use a cold cloth, a gel pack, an ice pack - or simply a bag of frozen vegetables! - this will help reduce swelling in the painful area and lessen the discomfort.

Take care when applying a cold pack: always wrap it in a soft, dry cloth before allowing it to contact the skin. 20 minutes per application is sufficient followed by an interruption. You can carry out this routine up to ten times per day.

But what about heat? It is best suited to relieving chronic pain. You can take advantage of its beneficial effects even after using cold packs, creating a cold/hot combination.

A warm pack can help you recover sooner from any injury as its effect sends blood into circulation faster and improves muscle flexibility. When the blood flow accelerates, healing takes place earlier; the brain also does not receive pain signals from the affected area. You can use two types of heat therapies to treat the pain, namely:

dry heat: easy to apply, but it can cause dehydration;

damp heat: penetrates better under the skin and brings immediate relief to tense, aching muscles.

For chronic pain, you might consider using warm packs with a constant temperature to reduce pain.

There are some simple but important precautions to follow to safeguard your health.

Just as with a cold pack, hot packs should also be wrapped in a comfortable cover that protects the skin. If there are open wounds or areas with dermatitis, do not apply warm packs. Avoid applying heat to your body if you suffer from diabetes.

For any specific questions or to clear up any doubts, remember to always consult your physician.

Did you know the difference between how hot and cold act? Have you ever used this type of pack to treat yourself? Tell us about it, contact Dispotech.