I've had shoulder impingement and hip and back for years. I've had back surgery and a hip replacement and I have been to 2 different physical therapy facilities and both told me the same. Do not use heat it will increase inflammation. I haven't gotten great results with ice, so I will try heat. My pain is chronic so it sure won't hurt anything to try it.
SublimeAmiga said:
I find this very odd. I have been to physical therapy many times and they ALWAYS told me to use heat. I have tried ice and it only works after I immediately have an injury.
Andy said:
Several of you have stated that you use heat or heating pads. My Physical therapist told me to always use ice packs for inflammation, that heat will make it worse. My shoulder and hip pain are causing me the most pain at present and sometimes the cold is too much to bear. I know that ice is best for an acute injury, but is the treatment different for chronic pain?
See after my car accident I used ice for 72 hours because heat could damage the injury but, now I have inflammation and tendonitis where I had injuries.. I think it's a little different.
Andy said:
I've had shoulder impingement and hip and back for years. I've had back surgery and a hip replacement and I have been to 2 different physical therapy facilities and both told me the same. Do not use heat it will increase inflammation. I haven't gotten great results with ice, so I will try heat. My pain is chronic so it sure won't hurt anything to try it.
SublimeAmiga said:
I find this very odd. I have been to physical therapy many times and they ALWAYS told me to use heat. I have tried ice and it only works after I immediately have an injury.
Andy said:
Several of you have stated that you use heat or heating pads. My Physical therapist told me to always use ice packs for inflammation, that heat will make it worse. My shoulder and hip pain are causing me the most pain at present and sometimes the cold is too much to bear. I know that ice is best for an acute injury, but is the treatment different for chronic pain?
I have to admit I'm not measuring the Vitamin C intake, just making sure I have at least a couple glasses of orange juice a day. If I'm out of Vit C then I make sure I take my vitamin tablet. Same goes for the other nutrients I mentioned.
I echo what Lamb said - there are different types of inflammation, and what to use depends on which type and how your body reacts.
I use heat for most of my inflammation (day-to-day joint stuff) and cold for injuries (like when I slipped out of my 12 passenger van and tweaked my knee and hip). Ice causes me GREAT amounts of pain, so I to "gentle cold" when I need cold. I use rice socks for both - I put uncooked rice in a tube sock, tie the end, and either put it in the freezer for when I need it or microwave it as needed. I have several. You can add lavendar, calendula, etc. to the rice sock to make it an aromatherapy pack as well. :)
I need to dig out my parrafin wax hand bath - I NEED it and stored it away when we did a major house cleaning so it wouldn't accidentally get put in the donation bin.
I've discovered that one of the things that helps me feel better is this thread. I love reading the great things everyone is sharing!
You, Michael, of course, always make me feel better. And, also the hot tub, Netflix, heating pad, and bed are always good choices. Comfort food is close behind. Trying to get out of my mind and into another activity is my best plan. Getting in touch with a friend, mustering the effort to go do something (anything) can be hard, but it is always always worth it. Living your life in whatever small way you can and appreciating that you can do that one small thing is the best way to kick this illness where it hurts and seize control, even for just a few moments.
If it is not winter, I like to jump in my pool and swim or just float there . The water soothes me and it makes me good not to feel the weight of my body. In winter, sit on the couch with a cup of hot tea (or rum, heheheh :) ) , a kitty on my lap, a good movie and a blanket, after a hot bath with salts :)
There is a Salt Water pool kept at around 83 degrees you float clean salt water Ive only lived in Oregon Eugene/ Springfield Oregon and living in the place I have always dreamed lof helps
Like many of you I love my tub! Sometimes I lay in it, sometimes I do stretches in it. I will fill it up with cold water for my ankles and then leave the water in it. I go back to it and soak my feet every so often.
I use a heating pad for my back a lot. I’m very naughty and I fall asleep on it, it does switch off on its own but I will wake up and turn it up.
My favourite product by far is Tiger Balm Cream. I love it, it lasts for a long time and funny enough even get compliments on the smell. I recommend it over the regular tiger balm as you don’t need as much and it last longer. You have to watch if your skin is on the sensitive side though. It’s fine on my back and legs and feet but stings a little on my neck.
Like others I love being comforted by my fur baby. My dog will always come to bed if I make my way there. He will curl up beside me and let me snuggle him.