Article
Heat or ice for back and neck pain?
It's one of the most common questions we get. The short answer: heat has better research behind it for back pain, and the best choice is the one that helps you move more comfortably.
What the research says
A Cochrane review, which pools the available trials, found moderate evidence that a heat wrap gives a small, short-term reduction in pain and stiffness for low back pain in the first weeks. Adding exercise helped more than heat alone. There was too little good research on ice to draw a conclusion either way.
How to use it
- Heat for stiffness and tight muscles, like a back that's stiff in the morning or a neck that's tight after a long day at a desk.
- Ice if heat doesn't help, or if the area is swollen or warm after a fresh bump or strain.
- 15 to 20 minutes at a time, with a towel between your skin and the pack. Never fall asleep on a heating pad.
- Keep moving gently. Heat or ice works best as a way to make movement easier, not as a replacement for it.
When to call
If the pain isn't improving after a week or two, keeps coming back, or limits work, sleep or driving, call us at (716) 656-0200.
Go to an emergency room right away for back pain with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, fever, or worsening leg weakness. If you have a history of cancer or unexplained weight loss, tell us when you call.