Las Vegas Massage | Chronic Back Pain Treatment
Using Heat And Ice

Las Vegas Massage Professional Kris Kelley asks, How To Relieve Back Pain - Ice or heat? Heat or ice? Which do we use, and when do we use them? That's probably one of the most common question asked by my Las Vegas massage clients in regards to lower back pain therapy and a successful Chronic Back Pain Treatment plan.

To properly answer this question, we first need to figure out how heat and ice actually interacts with our bodies. Once we have an understanding of each of these terms, then we will know how to relieve back pain as a part of our chronic back pain treatment program; alongside Las Vegas massage of course!

The Cycle Of Pain And Muscle Spasms

Let's say you have chronic back pain and a muscle goes into spasm. White blood cells are sent by the body to this muscle, thus not allowing oxygen and nutrient carrying red blood cells to get there. Not only this, but waste cannot be removed from these cells, either. (Yes, this is a very simplified version of what actually occurs as I don't want to get all technical.)

Now what may occur is a cycle between pain and spasms. The injury that you sustained causes the nerves to send a signal to the brain, which interprets this as 'pain.' What happens next? The brain and body are one, wanting to survive, thus the brain then sends the signal to the body to lower the amount of blood flow to the injured area. Lack of blood flow then causes more pain, swelling and the area to spasm even more.

Thus, to summarize as I do with my Las Vegas massage clients who are in accute pain, your body gets stuck in this pain and spasm cycle. They feed off of each other. This is where both ice and heat come in to play in regards to how to relieve back pain or any other injury or pain you may be suffering from.

How To Relieve Back Pain With Heat And Ice
Breaking The Pain/Spasm Cycle

Heat and ice, in this context, are very similiar and can do the same thing - they shock the body into breaking the cycle of pain and spasms. Heat allows more circulation, bringing more blood into the injured area, thus cooling it down. What else does this accomplish? Waste removal, along with an increase of oxygen and nutrients. Thus, the healing of the tissue can occur. Cold produces the same results - the brain and the body rushes more blood to an area that once again provides the 'warming effect' and promote healing.

But what about that pain/spasm cycle? Either method mentioned above can also 'turn off' the nerves that send the pain signals - heat relaxes them, cold numbs them. When the brain doesn't receive the pain signals, it doesn't act to contract muscles and constrict blood flow. After applying heat or cold consistently and continually for a certain period of time, the pain-spasm cycle is broken. Then, healing can begin.

Chronic Back Pain Treatment With Heat And Ice
Which Is Best?

If they both do the same thing, which is better to treat pain and include in our chronic back pain treatment program? I'm not a fan of 'strict rules,' so I typically have my Las Vegas massage clients do the following:

• When Las Vegas massage clients first injure an area, I recommend ice first. This holds true for both accute (recent) or sub-accute (old flare up) injuries and chronic lower back pain such as sciatica. It's also important to use ice fast, as quickly as possible. Within 5 minutes is best. You can apply ice for the first two to three days. Use a thin barrier for the ice so it's not directly on your skin, and cycle on and off, 20 minutes at a time.
• Whenever the swelling has decreased and that nasty pain and spasm cycle has been broken, you can begin stretching the injured muscle with the appropriate exercises. Remember, you must get that blood flowing! The 'old' recommendation is to wait a couple of days prior to stretching an area, but as a certified Medical Massage Therapist I recommend stretching and exercise to increase blood flow as soon as possible. Once movement of the area begins, you can use ice or heat. Most Las Vegas massage clients begin warm up with heat, finishing with ice after an activity is completed.

• Las Vegas massage professional Kris Kelley recommends as an advanced treatment, a contrast bath. Apply 20 minutes of heat followed immediately by 20 minutes of ice. Repeat three times. The contrast really shocks the body and gets it out of the pain and spasm cycle.

Chronic Back Pain Treatment - What To Use And How To Apply

In this section Las Vegas massage professional Kris Kelley wants to review the various way you can apply ice or heat.

How to relieve back pain - Ice. First, chemical ice packs are available, yet I don't recommend them to my Las Vegas massage clients or anyone else. I've actually seen these burn peoples skin, and if you keep reading you'll find much simplier (and less expensive) ways to use ice.

Just use ice and a cloth for the barrier if you don't have any other supplies. Again, time is working against you; get the ice on the injured area within 5 minutes for best results!

A favorite of mine is to get a styrofoam cup, fill with water and freeze, then apply. The styrofoam allows you to hold it without freezing your fingers; as it melts, break off or peel back the styrofoam to get to the ice.

At my Las Vegas massage office I can also order for you pain creams that use Menthol, providing a cold sensation and work great.

Another method is to use a plastic bag with crushed ice with a small bit of water. Remove all of the air from the bag and then zip it closed. Even with this plastic bag you will still need a barrier, so wet a paper towel, put it on the injured area, then apply the bag of ice.

One important point and then I'll proceed to the use of heat. You want a secure contact between your injured area, the barrier and the ice. Compression is important as this will also reduce the swelling. Elevation is also important. Elevate the injured area if possible.

When in Las Vegas massage school we used to use this, and it may assist you in remembering the value of ice as well: ICE = Ice, Compression and Elevation.

How to relieve back pain - Heat.

Now let's talk heat. As a Las Vegas massage therapist, I've recommended many forms of heat theapy. There are heating lamps, heating pads, hot tubs, hot showers, pain creams and even ultrasound, which is a form of heat.

Las Vegas massage knows what you are going to ask, which works the best?? Personally, I love the hot tub. Fortunately I own one, and please keep this in mind, going to a community hot tub is like taking a dip in a cesspool (you can look up the definition).

Moist heat is very beneficial and as a Las Vegas massage therapist I highly recommend Las Vegas massage - Hot stone therapy. Not only will you benefit from the moist heat, I can apply apply some deep tissue massage along with the hot stones to ease your aching muscles!

Chronic Back Pain Treatment - The Path To Pain Relief Using Heat And Ice

Please understand that neither heat or ice are long term solutions. They are both temporary tools aiding your injured area. Once the pain/spasm cycle is broken, stretching and strengthening is needed for optimal health and wellness.

Las Vegas massage professional Kris Kelley can demonstrate strength & flexibility for you as well as provide you with information for your own personal body maintenance self-care program!

Las Vegas Massage Professional Kris Kelley