Ahhh, the famous ice or heat debate.
Any sciatic sufferer knows it well.
Which do you use, and when do you use it? It is a hard call to make.
What is even worse is choosing wrong can lead to more pain - oh joy.
If your muscles are inflamed and you put heat on it, then - well let's just say the pain will get nasty.
On the other hand, if your muscles need heat and you are trying to ice it, then you will find yourself chilly and in pain.
It's a tough call.
Lucky for you, it does not have to be.
Here are some easy tricks to know which way you should go.
And just for kicks, I am going to tell you how to use heat and ice as well.
Sciatica Pain Relief - ice or heat? It is really easy to tell which you need to use, and like almost everything else with sciatica, when in doubt, let your pain be your guide.
Sore or Stiff Pain - Heat will be your new best friend.
Place a heating pad directly on the are that is causing your the most pain.
And if you find that you are sore or stiff, then you want to use heat.
Infrared heating pads work best - they really dig deep into those muscles - but a regular heating pad will work too.
Sharp Pain - you my friend need ice.
The best way to use it is to place it on the area where you feel the most pain for 10 minutes.
Then take it off for 10 minutes, then - well you get the picture.
Want an easy way to remember which way you should go? 'Sharp pain = sharp ice pick = you need ice'.
Well, that is what helped me remember at least.