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Treatment for musculoskeletal injuries typically is rendered according to the basic mnemonic RICE.

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

The question is for a musculoskeletal injury and pain management, is ice better than heat? There is no set answer, as the research has been ambiguous for a clear answer.

The thought process is as follows. For an acute injury, such as an ankle or low back sprain/strain, ice is better. An injury brings in increased blood flow to the area, bringing along with it inflammatory mediators which increase sweling. Ice can reduce the blood flow, and in addition to the elevation can minimize the resulting pain and swelling. Ice also tends to provide a numbing effect for pain control. Cryotherapy is another term for ice treatment.

Be prudent not to apply ice continuously, as it can damage one’s skin. A good rule is twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off, and to put a towel over the sking to prevent direct contact.

After the beginning forty eight to seventy two hours of treatment with ice, the current advice is to switch to heat. The first phase of healing is the inflammation phase, for which sufficient blood flow is needed to bring in those substances.

Plenty of pain management doctors recommend at that point alternating ice and heat for both pain control and assisting in the healing process. It can provide pain relief to assist with other treatments such as pain medication. After physical therapy, ice is recommended to prevent significant inflammation and throbbing along with pain. After a few hours, for instance when going to bed later on, heat may assist with relaxing the affected body part and allow one to fall asleep easier.

For a musculoskeletal injury, this is the current thinking with ice and heat treatment. When used in conjunction with physical therapy and possibly chiropractic treatment along with other pain management treatments, ice and heat can be very effective modalities.

If you have not suffered sciatica, count yourself fortunate. Sciatica is pain in the sciatic nerve, a thick nerve mass rooted in the lumbar spine that travels from there through the hip and down the outside of the leg, crossing at the knee. The nerve continues to the foot, and pain may occur in varying intensity along its entire length, or in spots. Healing sciatica may be a challenge, depending on its cause. Bulging or herniated discs, stenosis (narrowing of the spinal channel), spinal trauma, and tumors are a few common causes of sciatica.

Bed rest is often prescribed for sciatica although it is not clear there is any actual benefit to healing sciatica. However, some patients find the pain is so debilitating that movement is impossible. Bed rest with brief periods of gentle physical activity may be more effective. Some doctors prescribe specific exercises. A good bed with appropriate lumbar support, with a change in sleeping position eases the agony for some people. Lifting the knees, perhaps with a pillow, is immensely helpful.

Yoga is a natural remedy that works well for people suffering from sciatica pain. Yoga can also help to prevent future pain associated with sciatica. The poses associated with yoga help to relieve sciatica pain because they stretch the muscles and reduce the pressure on the lower back and legs. Yoga also helps to strengthen back muscles, which can relieve pain.

Yet another natural technique to consider is chiropractic treatment, designed to adjust or manipulate your spine, thus enhancing function and reducing pain. A chiropractor may also perform some massage and stretch, to give you some relief from your lower back sciatica.

According to information on sciatica most people will find this problem will naturally go away on its own, with the healing process taking a few days or weeks. Most episodes with sciatica heal within six to twelve weeks.

Some also say that vitamins taken daily can greatly alter your lower back pain caused by sciatica. There are many over the counter vitamins to chose from and the decision can be difficult to make. Some say Omega 3 Oil helps some take Vitamin E, others use MSM , some try a glucosamine sulfate, or some even try a combination of them. They even make an all in one vitamin for the help of subsiding your lower back pain caused by sciatica. Mother Nature’s Sciatol Has 6 differnt vitamins and minerals all focused on relieving your lower back pain caused by sciatica.

Learn more about Sciatica Pain Relief Tips. Stop by our site where you can find out all about Herbs As A Sciatica Alternative Remedy.