If you have back pain, you may already know what a good friend ice can be.

Lots of folks think they prefer heat for their back pain.  They like the way it feels more than they do ice (and I don’t blame them one bit!)

But as a natural pain relief tool for getting rid of muscle spasms and knots ice offers great benefit.  Heat may actually aggravate your back pain especially if you use it within the first 48 to 72 hours.  You’ll know if you use heat and feel somewhat worse afterward.

The first 48 to 72 hours after an injury are best left to ice.  You can use ice massage (rub a cube around in small circles) or an ice pack (a bag of frozen peas works well.)  Place a thin cloth between you and an ice pack to prevent freezing your skin.

And here’s a tip:  Don’t use it only where you have pain or knots.

Use it on the front of your body, too.

Ice the sides of your neck, your upper chest and the fronts of your arms.  You can ice your lower ribs, too.

You see, everything in your body is attached to everything else.  So, if the muscles in the front are tight and short (and it’s very likely they are) they will pull you forward.  That may be a primary cause of the pain in your back.

By the way, newer research shows that cold may not be the best choice for new injuries.  But then again, it may.

So try ice as a natural pain relief tool for your back pain.  You just may become quite fond of it!