There has been much debate over whether to cool or heat back pain, and it has been said that both are effective. However, the American guidelines for low back pain provide a treatment for the acute phase of so-called nonspecific low back pain (strained backs) when there is no specific external injury. One of the recommended treatment strategies is heat therapy. According to the guidelines, heating has proven to be more adequate for “strained backs” than cooling. While cooling may have the effect of dulling the sensation of pain, heat therapy has been shown to ultimately speed recovery (or the body’s ability to return to normalcy).
*This article is about nonspecific low back pain (low back pain without clear findings).
ILC International Lumbago Clinic Tokyo
