One of the most effective natural methods of back pain relief is hot and cold applications, which is described in the following.

Hot and Cold Applications:

Heat is one of the oldest natural pain reliever and can be applied by using hot water or in the form of heating pads or by using radiant heat, like one from a bulb or even through a simple, plastic body-wrap, which retains the heat.

Cold is also an excellent pain reliever, which is applied in the form of icepack, ice massage, frozen gel, cold compresses, vapo-coolant (an ethyl chloride spray), etc. A simple, plastic bag, filled with ice, can serve as an icepack. Even a towel or a cloth soaked in cold water, when applied on the body, can bring comfort.

Both hot and cold therapies are very useful in relieving pain and are easily available in every home.

Application of cold stops the pain by numbing the sensory nerves and bringing down the blood flow to the injured area, thereby preventing soreness and bruising. Hence, it prevents both inflammation and stiffness of the joints. Heat, on the other hand, encourages blood flow and the increased circulation flushes out the toxins that can create soreness. Warmth can also relax the muscles and help them regain mobility.

While both cold and, heat can relieve pain, one should understand the limitations of both. In. case of a twisted ankle, using heat can in fact increase the swelling and delay the healing, whereas application of cold treatment can bring down the pain. Cold works wonders for injuries and sudden pain, and is an excellent antidote for headache as well as backache and shoulder pain. But for an arthritic joint, application of a cold pack could cause more pain, whereas application of heat can make the patient comfortable.

In short, one of these treatments, either hot or cold, should relax the over-used muscle and control muscle spasm, joint stiffness, low back pain or jaw pain. The effect of cooling lasts longer than that of heat because after heat is withdrawn, the increased blood circulation brings the muscles back to normal temperature, whereas when cold application is discontinued, the blood vessels 'remain contracted for a while and since re¬warming takes a longer time, pain subsides.

In view of this, when a spasm occurs, it is better to adopt cold treatment, which will numb the muscle and reduce pain. When the spasm has gone, apply heat, so that it gives mobility. When there is doubt, choose the cold application first.

If a person gets hurt by a burn or a sprain or a fracture, the area appears red and feels warm to the touch. This is due to inflammation, which is the body's resistance to injury. In such a case, the inflammation can be arrested through application of ice. In addition to bringing about physiological improvement in the injury, ice stops the bleeding, reduces the swelling and works like a natural analgesic.

Application of ice should not be for more than twenty minutes at a time, because the skin may freeze, thus causing blisters. Wait for about an hour before second application so that the skin has a chance to re-warm itself. It is better to use a thin towel or a sheet between the icepack and the skin to protect the skin against excessive cooling.

(a) Application of Heat

People suffering from arthritis feel much better with a warm bath. But we should not spend more than 15-20 minutes in a hot bath, as the body gets adjusted to the heat and not much benefit is obtained after that time. Further application of heat to the body may generate weakness. Warmth can be applied in the form of hot towels, heating pads, steam baths or hot baths, like the whirlpool bath. It can also be done simply by wrapping a plastic sheet or a fluffy towel around the painful area. The heat generated then, by the body, reduces pain.

Application of heat-'producing creams, hot patches, etc. also help in reducing the pain. Here again, heat should not be applied for more than 20-30 minutes at a time and you should wait for at least a couple of hours before such applications are repeated. Applying a heating pad or an electric blanket, or even the old-fashioned, hot water bottle can greatly help in ¬reducing pain of a sore elbow, an aching knee or a twinge in your back.

Water is an excellent conductor of heat and, hence, application of moist heat is likely to give better results than dry heat. Make sure that the intensity of heat is controlled and it does not burn.

A moist towel pack, heated in a micro-oven, can serve as a temporary arrangement. The towels need to be replaced every five minutes.

While applying heat, take care that it does not burn the skin. Also note that heat is not applied if the area is swollen or red, or if the injury is fresh, or when there is an open wound. Similarly, do not use more than one form of heat at a time, e.g. when heat cream is applied, do not put a heating pad on top of it, as it can cause heat burn or blisters.

(b) Fomentation

Take a rubber fomentation bag and fill it with hot water. Remove the air from the bag and fix the cork tight. Now, take a cotton cloth, dip it in cold water, wring it dry and spread the same on the painful area and the surrounding muscles. Apply the hot water bag on the cloth for ten minutes, constantly shifting the bag on the entire area so that it does not burn the skin. After ten minutes, stop fomentation and allow the skin to cool down gradually with the help of wet cloth. Repeat the above procedure until the patient feels better. Change the wet cloth when it becomes absolutely dry. In most cases, the patient will feel better within thirty minutes.

This procedure may be employed twice or thrice a day. Take care not to apply too hot or excessive fomentation as either may cause burning and blisters.