Question 1

is ice or heat better for a sprain?

Accepted Answer

Ice first: Ice for an injury than rest. Heat to stretch and ice after exercise.

Question 2

is ice or heat better when it comes to treating an injured back?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If not ongoing re-injury & no chronic/other issues, cold recommended for first 48-72 hrs (no ice directly on skin, or will get cold injury--put in a towel/etc.). If arthritic, or ongoing work/injury occurring, heat may feel better, but only while on it. (don't mix heat-rubs with heating pads, they can cause burns). If severe, prolonged (>5days), or recurrent, see a dr.

Question 3

ice or heat better for elbow tendonitis and how long does it usually last?

Accepted Answer

Ice better usually: Ice is a better choice for pain and inflammation. Tendonitis implies inflammation and is usually the cause of pain in the first 6 weeks. After that, this can become tendonosis which involves tendon degeneration and microtearing. Rest and early treatment with rehab, a brace, anti-inflammatories can produce better outcomes. If I can help, then join my care team at www.healthtap.com/dr-clarkeholmes

Question 4

pain in lower back and buttocks. worse at night. worse when sitting. better when walking or upright. what is it? ice or heat better to treat?

Accepted Answer

Your symptoms: are a bit confusing since the LOCATION is CLASSIC for Spinal Stenosis ( Degenerative arthritis lumbar spine) but the RELIEF with walking is usually NOT the case( pain of spinal stenosis usually worsens with walking
In  any case you can try HEAT ICE and ALTERNATING HEAT/ICE Whatever helps..but get it checked out!  Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) is the place to start!

Dr Z

Question 5

can you let me know is ice or heat better for the pain of achilles tendinitis?

Accepted Answer

Ice is best: Icing down a painful achilles tendon will decrease pain since it is a topical analgesic. Heat gives a more soothing relief at imes but it can increase the swelling often associated with tendonitis.

Question 6

lower back pain over buttocks. worse when lying down or sitting. what could it be? is ice or heat better? don't remember doing anything to cause it

Accepted Answer

Arthritis/stenosis: This could just be some arthritis of the back.  In an acute injury it is technically better to use ice.  If no injury, then which ever of ice or heat helps. You could also have some stenosis (just means narrowing) irritating (pinching) a nerve causing the buttock pain. If it doesn't get better on its own after a week or two consider doing some physical therapy to strengthen your core and back.

Question 7

what r the treatments to fix a pinched nerve in the neck and is ice or heat better to diminish the pain i have severe neck and head pain on the left?

Accepted Answer

Several treatments : Are available. But in order for a treatment to work, an accurate diagnosis is absolutely required. See your pain doctor for physical examination. Heat helps with muscle spasm from nerve irritation, cold helps with the pain.

Question 8

does ice or heat work better for back pain? such as donjoy iceman?

Accepted Answer

Both can help: Hot or cold applications can relieve back pain, but for an acute injury intermittent cold treatment for 48 hours is more effective. However,I feel that for ongoing  or chronic back discomfort intermittent heat treatments are superior as these are more effective for relaxing tense muscles.

Question 9

is ice or steam heat better for the absorption of skincare products? i saw a video of someone rubbing their face with a large block of ice for glowy skin & other. wouldn't ice restrict the pores and prevent product absorption or am i missing sumthin?

Accepted Answer

: The combination of heat and moisture definitely enhances the effect of skin care products.

Question 10

is heat or ice better after a flu shot?

Accepted Answer

Never heat!: You really shouldn't need either ice or heat after a flu shot unless you see bruising. It's been injected and the achiness should wear away in the next day or so. So in reality you don't need to use either, and heat can actually increase circulation the area and could make it feel worse, or inflamed. If you feel you need something, a cool not iced compress won't hurt you.

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Doctor answers about:

Ice heat better

A member asked:

Is ice or heat better for a sprain?

A member asked:

Is ice or heat better when it comes to treating an injured back?

A member asked:

Ice or heat better for elbow tendonitis and how long does it usually last?

A member asked:

Pain in lower back and buttocks. worse at night. worse when sitting. better when walking or upright. what is it? ice or heat better to treat?

A member asked:

Can you let me know is ice or heat better for the pain of achilles tendinitis?

A member asked:

Lower back pain over buttocks. worse when lying down or sitting. what could it be? is ice or heat better? don't remember doing anything to cause it

A member asked:

What r the treatments to fix a pinched nerve in the neck and is ice or heat better to diminish the pain i have severe neck and head pain on the left?

A member asked:

Does ice or heat work better for back pain? such as donjoy iceman?

A member asked:

Is ice or steam heat better for the absorption of skincare products? i saw a video of someone rubbing their face with a large block of ice for glowy skin & other. wouldn't ice restrict the pores and prevent product absorption or am i missing sumthin?

A member asked:

Is heat or ice better after a flu shot?

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