Ice or Heat for Neck and Back Relief
- Should I use Ice or Heat?
- Which is Best for Relief?
Everything you need to know about ice packs and heating pads
The general rule is ice for acute, moderate to severe, inflammatory and nerve pain, and heat for chronic, milder to moderate, muscular and arthritic, pain. However, if you are not sure where to start it is better to start with ice, because mostly all pain has an inflammatory component, and ice is best at reducing inflammation.
The best place to start is 15 minutes over the area of the spine that leads out to the pain and you can also use ice directly over the area of pain. Then take the ice off for 30 minutes and repeat again. You can do as many rounds as you like, with the goal being at least 6 rounds if you are experiencing significant levels of pain.
When you first start using heat, do not keep the heat on for longer than 15 minutes and re apply every couple of hours. Heat has the ability to make you feel relief and relaxed, however, once you remove the heat, and that area of your body begins to cool it can have a tightening and spasm affect, which lets you know you should be starting with ice.
If heat allow you to feel relief and relaxed and you have no ill affects of using the heat once your body part begins to cool, and you notice improvement over the next couple of days, than heat is right for you.
Some people like to alternate ice and heat, which is called contrast therapy. If this is something you would like to use, first make sure that your body tolerates ice and heat therapy first, before using them both together. Always start and finish with ice. With contrast therapy you can switch between ice and heat every 5-15 minutes.
Best Overall Ice Pack: Durable, Pliable, ONE size for all body parts
- Designed especially for heavy clinic use in cold therapy, choose from seven blue vinyl sizes and four black polyurethane sizes, to ensure effective cold therapy for any body area or shape, remains pliable throughout treatment
- ColPac provides effective relief of pain with cold therapy
Best Overall Heating Pad: Soft, Safe, ONE size for all body parts
- FULL-BODY PAIN RELIEF: Therapeutic 12” x 24” heating pad provides targeted heat therapy to help ease muscle tension
- InstaHeat TECHNOLOGY: Feel the heat within seconds, enjoy 6 levels of heat ranging from 105?-140?. DRY OR MOIST HEAT THERAPY, SOFT FABRIC & EXTRA-LONG CORD, 5-YEAR WARRANTY
Blog Posts:
Why Some Feel Better After One Visit & Others Take Longer | Chiropractic Healing Explained
Why Some Feel Better After One Visit & Others Take Longer | Chiropractic Healing Explained Why do some people feel relief after just one chiropractic visit, while others need more time? It’s a bit of a mystery! Some patients with severe spinal issues feel amazing right away, while others with newer problems improve gradually over…
One main reason for your shoulder blade, arm and/or forearm pain or weakness?
How to determine if I have muscle pain or C7 nerve pain The simplest way to tell the difference between muscle and nerve pain is that muscle pain happens from an injury. Muscle pain will get better over time as the muscle heals, but can get aggravated from overuse. Muscle pain is usually localized. C7…
Relieving Stiff Necks: Should You Stretch or Rest for Fast Relief- Advice from a Linwood and Northfield Chiropractor
Discover the best approach for relieving stiff necks with insights from experienced chiropractors in Linwood and Northfield, New Jersey. Learn about the benefits of stretching vs. rest, and find personalized tips for optimal neck health. Whether you’re in Linwood or Northfield, our expert advice will guide you towards lasting relief and improved well-being.
-
One main reason for your shoulder blade, arm and/or forearm pain or weakness?
How to determine if I have muscle pain or C7 nerve pain The simplest way to tell the difference between muscle and nerve pain is that muscle pain happens from an injury. Muscle pain will get better over time as the muscle heals, but can get aggravated from overuse. Muscle pain is usually localized. C7Continue…
-
Estell Manor Fitness Trail Tour STOP 1 Achilles Tendon to Your Neck Stretch Station
Estell Manor Fitness Trail Tour STOP 1 Achilles Tendon to Your Neck Stretch Station THIS SERIES IS DESIGNED TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO ENJOY IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH BY MAKE THE WORLD YOUR PLAYGROUND Estell Manor is a park in New Jersey, but any park or place to walk outside will do. TheContinue…
-
Linwood Chiropractor Reveals Main Cause of Pain Radiating into the Shoulder, Arm, Forearm, or Hand
Linwood chiropractor shows how C6 cervical spine problems can be the cause of neck, upper back, shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand pain. This includes radiating pain, pins and needles, numbness and weakness in the shoulders and arms. And what you can do to find relief.
-
Is Your Neck Pain and Sore Throat Cause by a C5 Nerve Irritation?
When you can’t find neck relief, it may be a C5 nerve being irritated. Learn how C5 spine problems can lead to C5 nerve irritation causing neck pain. A Linwood chiropractor explains how to get relief.
-
Before Sinus Surgery or Getting Tubes in Your Ears, Try a Linwood Chiropractor
Linwood Chiropractor helps navigate and find relief for hay fever, runny nose, hearing loss, adenoids and problems with nose, lips, mouth, and eustachian tubes caused by spine irritation from the 4th cervical bone of the spine.
We have the knowledge to help you find relief, with the products that you can use at home to promote relief.
Drs. John and Jennifer Fresh
We have over 20 years experience understanding the causes of neck and lower back pain, with proven procedures and products necessary to get relief for those painful areas.