Quote Originally Posted by C1086 View Post
Dear All,
I would be very interested in what type of home advice you give to patients who are in acute pain whether it is lower back,neck or thoracic. What do you get your patients to do between treatments or before they can come for there first appointment with you.Your comments and pearls of wisdom would be greatly appreciated
C1086


Nonoperative treatments
Hot or cold: Hot or cold packs – or sometimes a combination of the two – can be soothing to chronically sore, stiff backs. Heat dilates the blood vessels, improving the supply of oxygen that the blood takes to the back and reducing muscle spasms. Heat also alters the sensation of pain. Cold may reduce inflammation by decreasing the size of blood vessels and the flow of blood to the area. Although cold may feel painful against the skin, it numbs deep pain. Applying heat or cold may relieve pain, but it does not cure the cause of chronic back pain.