Use Ice or Heat for Nerve Pain | Sciatica Pain Treatment
Nerve pain and discomfort in the back, neck, knee, shoulder, or anywhere else in the body is quite common. Nerve pain is also called neuropathic pain. It may develop due to nerve damage in the area, sending wrong signals to the brain and causing chronic pain. With our stress-packed hectic lifestyles, nerve pain comes complementary and affects almost all age groups.
Temperature therapy is one of the most effective treatments for sciatic nerve pain. Heat and cold therapy work efficaciously in relieving muscle and nerve pain. However, whether to use ice or heat for nerve pain is a daunting question. Using heat or ice for nerve pain depends on the location, type, and cause of the nerve pain.
Sciatica nerve pain refers to the pain that travels through the sciatic nerve, which further travels from the lower back via the hips and buttocks and down to each leg. Sciatica pain often occurs due to an overgrowth of bone or a herniated disk that puts excessive pressure on the part of the sciatic nerve. This nerve pain can cause inflammation, pain, and often numb legs.
Symptoms of Sciatica Nerve Pain
Sciatica can cause mild aches or a sharp, burning pain that can radiate into the lower thigh and calf. Since sciatica pain is only felt on one side of the body, the other side may feel numb. The pain may also feel like a jolt or electric shock and worsen when coughing, sneezing, or sitting for a prolonged duration.
Causes of Sciatica nerve pain
Certain factors put one at a greater risk of developing sciatica. These factors may include -
- Age: Changes in the spine that are caused due to aging, such as bone spurs and herniated disks, are the most common causes of sciatica.
- Obesity: Being overweight increases the stress on the spine, leading to sciatica pain.
- Profession: A job or lifestyle that demands long sitting hours, twisting the back, carrying heavy objects, or driving might significantly increase your chances of sciatica.
- Lifestyle: People with a sedentary lifestyle who sit or have very limited physical activities are most likely to develop sciatica nerve pain.
- Diabetes: Diabetes largely affects how one’s body uses blood sugar, increasing the risk of nerve damage.
What to use: Heat or ice for sciatica?
Ice and heat can be a great idea to reduce nerve pain associated with sciatica. Applying an ice pack for sciatic nerve pain in a circular motion helps relieve pain by creating a feeling of coldness, which progresses to a slight burning or tingling sensation, followed by numbness. Once the numbness occurs, take the ice pack off the pain site to avoid frostbite.
Heat therapy, on the other hand, relieves sciatica pain by promoting tissue healing. Heat therapy is best used after the nerve pain is calmed down by an ice pack. This initial pain flare-up causes inflammation which may worsen with the heat pad. Thus, it should be controlled with cold therapy first.
Why use sciatica ice packs?
- Sciatica ice packs help relieve stiffness and inflammation by curbing muscle tension.
- Ice slows down the blood flow, which reduces swelling. Applying ice numbs the area, which alleviates pain.
Things to remember while using sciatica ice packs
Ice or ice bags can reduce swelling & pain very efficiently, but there are also some things to take care of before using ice for pain relief, such as-
- Keeping ice for more than 15 minutes can numb the area. Avoid keeping it for long.
- Avoid directly applying ice to the skin. Prefer keeping a cloth between the skin and the ice.
- Keeping the ice in one place is the wrong way to use it. Always massage in a circular motion.
- In case of cramping, ice massage is not applicable.
- In any case, don’t apply ice directly to the wound.
- Applying ice before any activity is a bad idea as it can damage the body tissues.
Why heat for nerve pain?
- Heat soothes & relaxes your muscles.
- Heat promotes blood flow.
- The heat releases tension & spasms from the area.
- Heat develops the range of motion in joints.
Things to remember while using heat for sciatica
Heat can easily relax your muscles if you use it the correct way. Otherwise, it may increase the chances of problems. Some of the safety measures are-
- Heat is not used for fresh injuries or open wounds.
- For infections, heat treatment is prohibited.
- Dermatitis patients should not use heat treatment.
- Cancer patients should not use heat as heat can increase the chances of the tumor.
- Heat alternately, and avoid placing it for a longer time.
Best Ice and Heat Packs for Sciatica Nerve Pain
1. Breg Intelli-Flo Cold Therapy Hip Pad
Breg Intelli-Flo Cold Therapy Hip Pad is designed to provide cold therapy to the hip area. It offers custom-tailored temperature control and allows consistent and reliable cold treatment. For appropriate use, an insulation barrier is required between the Intelli-Flo Pads and the patient’s skin.
Using ice or heat for nerve pain is critical because it completely depends on the injury or the pain. Using the wrong treatment may worsen the situation. Hence, you should always use ice or heat for sciatic pain after consulting your doctor.
2. Gebauer’s Pain Ease Topical Pain Relief
Sciatica and lower back pain are daunting. Besides ice or heat for sciatica nerve pain, an analgesic pain relief spray also helps curb the pain. Gebauer’s Pain Ease Medium Stream Spray is an anesthetic skin refrigerant used to relieve nerve pain associated with injections and minor sports injuries such as sprains, bruising, cuts, and abrasions. It targets the areas of pain that have swelling or are inflamed due to an injury or post-surgery. It is a topical vapocoolant with an aerosol and offers effective pain relief within 4–10 seconds. Subsequently, Gebauer’s Topical Pain Relief Spray is easy to use by pressing the actuator button firmly for 4–10 seconds or until the skin turns white.
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