Heat or Ice?? (Back pain)

[Fishbone†]

I just picked something semi-heavy (not too heavy for me though) up at work, and I must have done it just wrong because I kinked my lower back. I tried to continue my journey, but just couldn’t do it. Anyway, sitting is killing me, and standing isn’t much better. Do I use heat or ice first?? I took some Advil hoping that will settle it a little – any other suggestions I can try at work to make it through the day??

TIA

 

[helenabear]

My PT told me to lay off the ice and stick to heat in small amounts (15 on, 15 off for no more than an hour). But it also depends on what you do apparently. I never iced, but heat in spurts is good and will losen muscles. If it hurts that much, I'd honestly go in. You could've done a lot mroe damage than you realized.

 

[golfgal]

If there is torn tissue (swelling) then use ice. If it is just a strain and sore, heat will work better.

 

[4greatboys]

The dr I used to work for said ice for the first 3 days then heat.

 

[LindaR]

Call your doctor (I've had a couple of spinal surgeries)! Ice, then heat. I always hated that because I don't like being cold and wanted to just use heat because it feels better to me, but the ice stops the swelling.

 

[Blondie]

I've always been told ice first, then heat.

 

[Christine]

The PT/chiropractor I used said to use ice at the first sign of injury to keep the inflammation down. Do that for a 24-hour period, then switch to heat.

Heat stimulates circulation and can actually make the inflammation worse to begin with.

Now, if it is chronic back pain, he told me that heat is the best.