By Staff Writer
According to the American Chiropractic Association, as many as 31 million Americans experience chronic back pain. Getting relief from the pain can be difficult. Still, several options are available depending on the pain’s cause, frequency, and severity. Today, we will look closely at one easy and convenient way of getting relief from back pain. It is through the application of Cold Therapy. Some physicians debate the effectiveness of using a cold treatment compared to heat, but the therapy benefits vary from one individual to another.
Types of Cold Therapies
There are two ways to apply Cold Therapy:
- Ice massage
- Cryotherapy
Ice massage for back pain
Ice massage is the oldest way of applying or delivering this treatment. The process of application is simple. A family member may assist in the application or self-directed. All you have to do is take a large piece of ice. A slab of ice is preferable for this purpose. You can combine smaller cubes to make a large one and then apply to the painful and sore muscles of the back. You can also use frozen water in an insulated water bottle. The bottle can then be kept under the back while lying on it.
Another method could be placing a pillow or a towel drenched in cold water. This technique can also apply the cold treatment to the buttocks region, as you can sit on the pillow.
Ice packs (frozen gel packs) are modern and more convenient ways of cold application. Ice baths and ice sprays can also apply cold therapy to the aching sites.
Cryotherapy for back pain
A relatively newer technique of cold application endorsed by celebrities and athletes and claimed to be very effective in curing lower back muscle pains is Cryotherapy. Relief for sprains and strains of the muscles is one side effect of using Cryotherapy for back pain.
Whole Body Cryotherapy is gaining popularity in which patients go into a cryosauna chamber for 1.5-3 minutes’ exposure to nitrogen vapor. The temperature of the chamber is between -190℉ to -256℉.
How does Cold Therapy Work?
- Ice therapy reduces inflammation
As heat is a feature of inflammation, applying cold helps remove heat and thus reduces inflammation. In most cases, back pain is due to inflammation of muscles. However, Ice therapy is most effective in relieving back pains from an injury or a sprain in the spine muscles.
- Muscles go numb
The sore muscles go numb on the application of cold/ice. Therefore, an anesthetic-type effect takes place, causing relief.
- Decreases nerve conduction
Ice massage of the lower back decreases the conduction of nerve impulses—consequently, a reduced pain stimulus. The therapy is more effective for superficial pain.
Conclusion
According to a study by Morteza and Farinaz carried out in 2018, Cryotherapy paired with heat therapy effectively brings about relief in back pain patients. Thus, ice massage therapy can noticeably relieve back pain for some individuals. Like any form of self-applied treatment, you must obtain expert advice from your doctor or medical care professional before attempting this therapy.
