Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Health

LatteLady

(74 posts)

2. Inflammation versus pain

Reply to bif (Original post)

Tue May 6, 2025, 09:22 AM

May 6

If you have active inflammation, cold is better. If not, both heat and cold will increase circulation. Cold will initially feel less comfortable that heat, but once the tissue is adequately cooled, cold offers a numbing effect that heat does not.

Some people like to alternate heat & cold.

You can try each one to see which one provides better pain relief for you.

Check out “Treat you own back” by Robin McKenzie.

Hope you feel better soon!

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

lark

14 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

What's more effective for sciatica, heat or cold? [View all] bif May 6 OP

I've found that if I lay on a heating pad it helps? walkingman May 6 #1

Inflammation versus pain LatteLady May 6 #2

Big rule of thumb: cold reduces pain, heat enhances healing. Much depends on the problem: chronic or acute Bernardo de La Paz May 6 #3

Heat helps me. ... littlemissmartypants May 6 #4

I am in Physical Therapy for this right now. Hadn't realized how much difference it makes. SharonAnn May 6 #5

Huge!! I would get so bad I had to use a cane. ... littlemissmartypants May 6 #8

I've been doing some of the ones on this site bif May 6 #7

TY. I'll check it out. ❤️ littlemissmartypants May 6 #9

I've had episodes of bad sciatica and accupuncture is the best thing I've found. lark May 6 #6

Here's a tip that might help. Husband had terrible sciatic pain up and down legs. I had him try medical massage, MLAA May 6 #10

Thanks bif May 6 #11

It is, you want to loosen up those hips 🙂 MLAA May 6 #12

What feels better? Warpy May 6 #13

Heat seems to work better. bif May 8 #14