Back pain causes significant discomfort. Leaving this problem untreated can lead to the worsening of pain, which further causes the inability of back muscles to function. A quick fix to this issue is the use of over-the-counter medication, yet it is just a temporary measure that doesn’t keep pain at bay for an extended duration. Most orthopedic doctors recommend the use of the heat of ice packs to relax muscles in a more natural way.
The ways hot and cold compress treat back muscles vary significantly. The first and foremost thing to take into consideration is the kind of back injury that you have. It will help you determine whether you need hot or cold therapy.
Hot compress works by providing warmth to the affected area. It relieves the tension and improves the circulation of blood in the back muscles. You may want to use heat to treat your back muscles if you have pain due to a lot of physical activity, stiffness, or spasms.
You can either apply moist heat or dry heat. Moist heat can be more effective due to its quick action. This treatment includes hot baths or a steamed towel. Dry heat, on the other hand, uses heat packs and saunas, both of which are easy to apply.
You must avoid heat therapy if the affected area is swollen or there is an open wound. You may also want to avoid using this method if you are suffering from any vascular diseases.
Cold compress
Also known as cryotherapy, cold compress works by controlling the amount of blood flowing into the affected area. You may want to use it if there is swelling in the back muscles. If cold compress is your thing, you may want to use it every 30 minutes until the pain is gone. You may want to use a dry ice pack if you are treating the problem at home.
Methods involved in the use of cold therapy may include coolant sprays, ice massage, ice baths, and ice packs. Most people use ice packs because they are easy to apply.
When should you avoid cold therapy?
You may want to avoid using ice as a way to treat your back pain if you are suffering from sensory disorders or muscle stiffness. Using ice on stiff muscles and joints can worsen the problem even further. You may also need to avoid ice therapy if poor blood circulation is one of your problems.
In some cases, a combination of both hot and cold may help you find relief from back pain. This method of treatment typically involves the use of an ice pack first, and then the use of a hot pack to relieve the back pain. You may want to discuss with your doctor the best way. If your condition is severe, and none of these methods works for you, you must visit an orthopedic surgeon for proper analysis and treatment. In such scenarios, assuming that a certain treatment would work is the wrong approach.
