SGBP Final 4

In severe back

pain, apply ice

first for 2 days

and then apply

heat

Step One Measures

There is no doubt that the doctor plays a crucial role in comforting and offering
reassurance particularly when a spinal disorder has been identified on X-ray or scan. By
now hopefully you may have realized that surgery is not necessary in the vast majority of
cases. Simple non-surgical measures should be sufficient to decrease the pain. What
needs to be understood is that giving time for conditions such as a bulging or herniated
disc to heal and simultaneously stretching and strengthening the back muscles through
graded exercises can, in nearly 80% of cases, resolve the problem completely without
recourse to surgery. These measures need to be carried out for a period of two weeks:

a. Heat and cold therapy

b. Medications

c. Resumption of normal activities

d. Simple exercises

Heat/cold therapy

The first thing that you have to do is to lessen the pain. Applying ice to the back in the
form of cold packs or a bag of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel reduces pain
by numbing the nerves in the area and relaxing tense muscles. Ice
decreases the blood flow in the sore area and thereby reduces
pain and inflammation. Apply ice for up to 10 minutes at a time
every few hours for 48 hours. After 2 days, apply heat.

Heat increases the blood flow and thus aids healing. People with
osteoarthritis often find that warmth, through warm towels or hot
packs applied to the joint, or a warm bath or shower, can relieve pain and stiffness. A
hot water bottle wrapped in a wet towel is an excellent source of heat. Heat may work
better than analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications. It should be applied for 20 –
30 minutes twice or thrice daily for best effect. Water therapy in a heated pool or
whirlpool may also help. There is not strong enough research evidence that
either heat or ice will help, but you can try them. Heat or cold treatments
do not have much effect on sciatica.