Heat Vs Cold For Chronic Pain
If you suffer from chronic lower back pain, the decision between when you use heat vs. when to use cold isnt quite as clear cut. For most people, obtaining effective relief requires finding a balance between using both heat and cold. If you do exercises to strengthen your back, you may find that applying heat first helps warm up your muscles and get through your workout with ease. Cold works to ease inflammation and pain following a workout.
Chronic lower back pain should be assessed by a medical professional. If you suffer from lower back pain, your Denver physical therapist can help you determine the best course of treatment. To learn more, contact Denver Physical Medicine today.
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Medicine From The Store Is A Hot Bath Good For Lower Back Pain
There are 2 kinds of non-prescription painkiller that regularly assist with back pain: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and also acetaminophen. Both have some adverse effects, and some people may not be able to take them. Talk to your medical professional before taking painkiller As well as do not expect medicine alone to solve your discomfort trouble. Researches reveal youll possibly need more than one sort of therapy.
Making Back Pain Worse Instead Of Better
Here are some common ways people increase their back pain, instead of making it better:
- Lack of physical activity
- Improperly bending or poor back mechanics
- Improper use of icing and heating back muscles
- Sitting on fitness ball rather then your office chair
When you are experiencing chronic back pain, it is common to significantly reduce physical activity. While this is a good idea in some cases, in reality its best to keep some level of physical activity going. Lying in bed for days or weeks can delay healing. Resting longer than 48 hours causes muscle atrophy, which can often lead to a muscle spasm and increased weakening of the back muscles. Light activity like walking, swimming, or spending some time on an elliptical trainer can actually speed up the healing process.
Its important when bending or lifting heavy objects to bend at the knees rather then using the support of your back muscles. Improper bending increases the likelihood of injuring your back through something as simple as a sneeze. In time, over-usage of the back muscles causes significant weakening so that when you least expect it a sudden injury occurs.
In the case of icing and heating back muscles its important to note that although a hot shower might feel good, the heat might actually be increasing inflammation by opening up blood vessels. Icing and heating in combination breaks the cycles in which muscle spasms cause pain.
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What Is Chronic Low Back Pain
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, chronic back pain can be defined as pain that persists for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of acute low back pain has been treated. About 20 percent of people affected by acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain with persistent symptoms at one year. In some cases, treatment successfully relieves chronic low back pain, but in other cases pain persists despite medical and surgical treatment.
Boosts Circulation And Nourishment To Tissues
When seeking low back pain relief, people often recommend applying heat to the area. Heat dilates blood vessels, boosting blood flow to the area. It also allows oxygen and nutrients to flow more easily to the painful joints, muscles, and tissues.
A 2016 study showed that heat therapy can increase circulation and may reduce blood pressure. That may be helpful since back pain can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal glands, increasing blood pressure.
Another advantage is that heat increases cell metabolism. This, combined with the transfer of nutrients and oxygen, helps the area to recover, reducing aches. In this way, a hydrotherapy hot tub or bath can encourage your body to self-heal.
While anyone searching for low back pain treatment may benefit from a hot hydrotherapy bath, its especially important after an injury or surgery. When your body is trying to repair, the circulation boost may speed up the process, getting you back to daily activities sooner.
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Muscle Inflammation Soreness And Stiffness
Pain and inflammation leading to soreness and stiffness can also be remedied by the soothing water immersion made possible by hot tubs. Water immersion and buoyancy relieve the gravity and pressure placed on joints, supporting your entire body and limbs from 360 degrees. Not only does hot water therapy benefit lower back pain, but hot tubs also protect your overall health and even your wallet. You can reduce your reliance on expensive anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, which may also have negative side effects. The benefits of hot water to muscles and joints are substantial. Immersion in hot water increases blood circulation to your muscles which helps heal bone, muscle, joint, and connective tissue injuries. This is important for your back because a large and complex group of muscles work together to support your spine and hold your body upright. Water immersion helps keeps your back and spine loose as you move and rotate. Mark B., a Bullfrog Spa owner, said, I have lower back problems, and using this tub is the only way I survive!
Hot Vs Cold: What Is The Best Treatment For A Back Injury
Many of us have been subjected to a back injury at some point, and many can testify as to how painful it can be. Its not unusual for us to try a number of different methods to try and get rid of the pain. Two of the most popular methods of alleviating pain is the applying of ice or heat. But there can be some confusion as to what kind of treatment should be used for certain injuries.
There are those who say neither treatment actually works, but for the most part, many people have spoken about how better they feel after a hot bath or applying a cold compress to their injury. To get the benefit from either treatment, you should first understand what each treatment is used for.
Ice Is Commonly Used for Injuries
Receiving an injury when exercising is more commonplace than you think, and the swelling of muscles following an injury can be very painful afterwards. While ice doesnt provide a miracle cure, it does help lower the inflammation of damaged tissue. It is an ideal treatment for those who would rather avoid using medicine for the pain.
There are a number of ways in which ice is applied to an injury, with most having the same overall effect. Some people may opt to use an ice pack, while others may just head to the freezer for a bag of frozen peas.
Heat Is Commonly Used for Muscles and Stress
What If I Use the Wrong Treatment?
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Home Remedies For Lower Back Pain
1. Oil Therapy
- Take 4 tablespoons of mustard oil, sesame oil or coconut oil. Put it on low flames and fry 7-10 garlic cloves till they turn light brown. Then, strain the oil. Allow it to cool. Massage this oil on your lower back. Use this therapy regularly for 15 days or so, to get effective results.
- Massage with warm castor oil also heals lower back pain.
- Mix turpentine oil and warm mint oil. Rub it gently on the affected area for quick relief.
2. Heat Therapy
One of the best remedies to use for lower back pain is heat. The warmth from any heat source can relax and calm your muscles and help to soothe aches, pains, and sores. there are a couple of things that you can do to administer heat to a lower back pain ache. The first is investing in a good heating pad. There are all types of heating pads on the market right now but one of the best is an electronic heating pad. With an electronic heating pad, you can control the settings so that you can administer as little or as much heat as you want.
You can also use a microwavable heating pad too. However, these will lose their warm after about half an hour after you heat it up. When you are using a heating pad, try not to use a longer than 15 to 20 minutes. Additionally, be sure that you move your heating pad from one location of your skin to another. This will prevent you from scalding your skin.
3. Cold Therapy
4. Potato
5. Cabbage Leaves
6. Lemon Juice
7. CBD Oil
8. Milk
9. Oats
10. Capsaicin Cream
11. Yoga
Bathing Is Made Easy With Easy2bathe
If you would like to enjoy all of these benefits a warm bath can provide but struggle to get in and out of your bath, the Easy2Bathe bath lift can help.
With Easy2Bathe, you can relax in your bath and feel the wonders of warm water work its magic on your painful joints and muscles and so you can look forward to bathing once more.
Fitted in under one hour, getting in and out of the bath is easy.
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Do Not Drop Over Your Workdesk
When being in an office chair, utilize the same good stance techniques you utilize when standing. Its crucial to keep great posture as well as support your when sitting down, especially if you do it for several hrs each day. Select a top quality chair that offers firm assistance for your lower back, as well as see to it your knees are a little more than your hips when you sit. Is A Hot Bath Good For Lower Back Pain
Back Pain Relief From International Spine Institute
No matter the cause of your painful symptoms, International Spine Institute specializes in the treatment of back pain. If youve been experiencing back pain for more than a few weeks without relief, then its time to give us a call. We can discuss conservative treatments and minimally invasive procedures that keep your recovery time short.
Our least invasive treatment options include:
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How Does Epsom Salt Relieve Back Pain
Many people use Epsom salt baths to relieve muscle aches and back pain. In fact, some athletes swear by this home remedy, making Epsom salt a part of their regular health regimens. Although there are no clinical trials to confirm these results, the anecdotal accounts of the benefits of Epsom salt are staggering. Some of the ways that Epsom salt seems to relieve back pain includes:
- Reduces Swelling/Inflammation: Many people experience back pain due to inflammation in the muscles, which could be caused by an injury, a medical condition or overexertion during a workout. Epsom salt reportedly reduces inflammation, thus relieving this painful side effect.
- Relaxes Muscles: Tense muscles can be caused by a variety of conditions and may even be due to stress. When muscles are tense, this tends to exacerbate back pain. Epsom salt baths can ease and relax muscle tension.
- Balances Electrolytes: Some report back pain as one of the side effects of an electrolyte imbalance. Taking an Epsom salt solution can help balance electrolyte levels, offering a healthier alternative to sugary sports drinks.
Bonus Tip: Stretch After Using Heat Therapy To Strengthen Your Lower Back
While heat therapy may help you find quick relief from your sciatica symptoms, it is best used as part of a broader treatment plan that typically includes stretching and other targeted exercises.
Read more about Sciatica Treatment
When you experience pain relief after using heat therapy, try to perform simple lower back stretches. Stretches and targeted exercises can help prevent sciatica from recurring, by relieving the sciatic nerve compression, strengthening your tissues, and improving the flexibility in your lower back.
See Physical Therapy and Exercise for Sciatica
Use these tips today to see if the benefits of heat treatment help improve your sciatica symptoms. For long-term pain relief, add an exercise program or regular walking to your everyday routine.
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Take A Relaxing Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, works its way through the skin and into sore muscles. Soaking for about 20 minutes can help to ease sore back muscles, especially after exercise.
When taking an Epsom salt bath, youll want to make sure the water is warm. Hot water can cause muscles to swell and cold water can cause muscles to cramp. The Arthritis Foundation recommends a temperature between 92 and 100°F . Temperatures higher than 104°F arent recommended, especially if you have heart problems.
You can also enhance the soothing results by bringing a tennis ball or other rubber ball thats similar in size, with you in the tub. Put it on the small of your back or midback and move side to side. The effect is like a massage to your back, and it further loosens up tight muscles.
An added benefit of Epsom salt is that its great for your skin. Epsom salts can exfoliate dead skin cells, soften the skin, and reduce areas of itchiness.
What Is Hydrotherapy
Otherwise known as water therapy, hydrotherapy is a form of physiotherapy that involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment. By just spending time in your hot tub, you can reap the benefits, as it increases circulation, which in turn soothes sore muscles and helps to relieve painful symptoms faster. Hydrotherapy has also been shown to boost spinal flexibility, assisting with spine stiffness which is commonly identified as the main factor that contributed to lower back pain. Merely being in the water frequently can make a huge difference to someones life.
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When Not To Use Heat
Heat is not suitable for all injury types. Any injury that is already hot will not benefit from further warming. These include infections, burns, or fresh injuries.
Heat should not be used if:
- the skin is hot, red or inflamed
- the person has dermatitis or an open wound
- the area is numb
- the person may be insensitive to heat due to peripheral neuropathy or a similar condition
Ask a doctor first about using heat or cold on a person who hashigh blood pressure or heart disease.
Excessive heat must be avoided.
When cold is applied to the body, the blood vessels contract, vasoconstriction occurs. This means that circulation is reduced, and pain decreases.
Removing the cold causes vasodilation, as the veins expand to overcompensate.
As the blood vessels expand, circulation improves, and the incoming flow of blood brings nutrients to help the injured tissues heal.
Alternating heat and cold can be useful for:
- osteoarthritis
- exercise-induced injury or DOMS
Contrast water therapy uses both heat and cold to treat pain. Studies show that it is more effective at reducing EIMD and preventing DOMS than doing nothing.
A review of studies has suggested that, for elite athletes, CWT is better at reducing muscle pain after exercise compared with doing nothing or resting.
However, the researchers point out that it may not better than other strategies, such as heat treatment, cold treatment, stretching, or compression. They say that more evidence is necessary.
How To Benefit From Your Hot Tub Session
Whether you use your own hot tub or one that belongs to a gym or community, check to make sure the tub is clean and properly maintained. The water should be cleaned and tested regularly. A poorly maintained hot tub can lead to a skin infection called hot tub folliculitis.
Movies, television, and even social media often depict people lounging in a hot tub for hours on end with a cocktail in their hand. This isnt ideal or safe. Heres how to go about your hot tub soak to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks:
- Avoid very hot water. Make sure the water isnt too hot, with an absolute maximum of 104°F .
- Stay hydrated. Hot tubs make you sweat and leave you dehydrated. Drink water plenty of water, but avoid alcohol before or during your soak.
- Limit your time in the tub. Dont stay in too long, especially if youre not used to it. At the maximum temperature, set your limit at 10 to 15 minutes. You can stay in for longer at a lower temperature if youre used to it. Signs that you need to get out right away include:
- lightheadedness, dizziness
- skin redness
- shortness of breath
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Back Pain Relief At Home
Back pain treatment at home is possible using a hydrotherapy bathtub. You can allow your muscles to soften anytime they begin to ache, whether thats a couple of times a day or once a week. While the warm jets can act as lower back pain treatment, they can also improve your quality of life in general by promoting mental relaxation.
Although hydrotherapy can help many conditions, you should avoid heat for a few days following an acute injury or arthritis flare. Hydrotherapy side effects are relatively rare and stem from overheating or reactions to heat.
There are multiple options available for receiving hydrotherapy at home. For example, a Soothing Soak bathtub gently circulates warm water to relieve sore muscles. This also boosts circulation and promotes healing. Other options include heated jetted whirlpool bathtubs that use jets to massage out knots, leaving you with better flexibility and range of motion.
