Lower Back Pain Relief: Ice Pack or Hot Tub?
I get asked this question many times throughout my day so I want to take moment to share with you what the best option might be and why.
Of course, the first thing that we are going to try to do is self-care to keep ourselves out of the doctors office. Sometimes self-care helps with lower back pain relief, sometimes it does not.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
One of the more common causes of lower back pain is a sprain/strain type injury which is often accompanied by muscle spasms and inflammation.
When we’ve injured ourselves, the nerves around the spine can become irritated or pinched. In an effort to protect that area the muscles can begin to spasm.
The inflammation that is usually present is there for a reason too. This increased fluid in the area is bringing healing cells to the area to begin the repair process.
Unfortunately, the injury and the resulting changes in the spine hurt, too.
Commonly we want to put heat on the area because heat is calming and usually feels darn good.
But, in an acute injury there is already more heat, more swelling and more fluid in the injured area and adding more heat could make a painful situation worse.
Ice to Bring Lower Back Pain Relief
Ice is the preferred treatment for acute injury to help with lower back pain relief.
You probably have what you need around the house to self-treat. A plastic bag with ice and some water or even a bag of frozen peas or corn can do the trick (just don’t end up eating those veggies).
You want to do this with some precautions.
- Use a thin shirt or paper towel between you and the ice so your skin doesn’t get frostbite
- Use the ice pack on the area in pain for around 15 minutes
Just remember C.B.A.N. When you use the cold treatment it should feel Cold. Then is will begin to feel like a Burn. Then the cold will Ache. Just when the area goes Numb, you should get more relief and it’s time to stop the ice treatment.
Wait for the area to thaw for the remainder of the hour and repeat.
What If Ice Doesn’t Help With Lower Back Pain Relief?
If you’ve tried an ice pack treatment to relieve your lower back pain without signs of relief, there could be more going on than you realize.
If that is the case, it’s best to have a spinal expert take a look and see what is really causing your pain. Give us a call at Camelot Chiropractic Centre or request an appointment online and one of our family chiropractors will gladly assist you.
