Ice or heat for severe low back pain. Unknown if it is muscular or nerve pain. I have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow and have taken ibuprofen in the meantime which isn't helping. I hate my back!
Cold always makes things worse for me, so I personally go with heat. I have a lovely hot water bottle that gets use for things like this.
Well I would avoid heat until you know for sure what it is. Heat can make a lot of stuff worse. Heat increases blood flow to the area, which can increase inflammation. Try icing it for 15 minutes at a time. See a chiropractor!
I have heard to alterante the Ice and heat. I find if I sleep on my back with a pillow under my legs, sometimes 2, it will cut down the amount of back pain. If you can rest that way at some point today it should help. Also, don't sit up to read in bed - somethinga bout the angle increase low back strain. A chiropractor and massage therapist can help.
Ask your doctor about prescribing a TENS unit. Seriously, they work great for pain.
Heat then ice, ice for no more than 15 minutes. Advil should help and see a chiropractor and massage therapist if its not a surgical thing like a severely herniated disc.
Try both and see which one helps. I wouldn't worry about increasing inflammation. It would be rare for that to be a problem. In fact, the only time I'd think heat would be wrong would be for appendicitis which you don't have.
I've always used only heat for back pain. I've used it for UTI's and for muscle spasms. Cold makes my muscles spasm even more.
You can alternate between the two. For my back I used heat. Warm showers helps as well.
I have had two back surgeries in the last 3 years. So I totally understand the back and hating it!!! Hope you feel better!!!!
What the NP told my husband for his back pain was to alternate between heat and ice, like this: heat for 20 minutes, then nothing for 20 minutes, then ice for 20 minutes, then nothing, then heat, etc. The idea is to get your muscles to seize, then relax, then seize, then relax, which is supposed to stop a spasm.
My back occasionally goes out, too. My doc prescribes this cocktail: a 6-day step-down prednisone pack, flexeril, and either ibuprofen or naproxen. It works amazingly well. Usually within the first couple days I'm feeling good as new. You might ask your doctor if he/she would feel comfortable prescribing that for you.
