Ice or Heat for Pinched Nerve? Which One is Better Treatment

Pinched nerve is caused when any pressure is applied on nerve root. Most of the people suffer from pinched nerve in neck and spine (lower back). Studies suggest that a herniated disk in your spine can cause you pinched nerve in back. The use of painkillers and analgesic drugs are the best treatment.

 A pinched nerve will go away on its own after 4-6 weeks. But you don’t have to wait that long for the recovery.

Common Symptoms of Pinched Nerve

Pinched nerve signs and symptoms include:

• Sharp pain in the area
• Inflammation of nerve
• Needles sensation
• Tingling feeling
• Your hand and foot has fallen asleep
• Unable to move body parts
• Numbness in the area covered by pinched nerve
• Muscle spasm near the affected area
• Discomfort similar to sacroiliac joint pain

Many people claims to cure pinched nerve with heat packs. In other cases, many claim to treat it with cold packs. So Ice or Heat for Pinched Nerve Treatment?
We are going to learn about these two famous natural cures which is used by us as first aid.

Ice for Pinched Nerve

Before we dive into the efficacy of Ice, one simple question needs to be asked. Can Ice cure a pinched nerve?
Applying ice on nerve will cause it to restrain the flow of blood. Coolness increase the clotting effect. However, it also slow down your neuron system. Ice can reduce the feeling of pain and tingling sensation.
Using ice will also help you counter the needles sensation. It will stop the pinching needle sensation at the area supplied by the nerve.
The soothing effect of ice will help treat pinched nerve symptoms. People must understand that ice can reduce the circulation which can cause other side-effects. Blood clotting, nerve inflammation, blackness of skin, reduced neuron activities are some of the side effects.
So can i use ice for pinched nerve or not? Yes you can. It will help you with pain and discomforting sensations. However, if the pain is sharp and acute avoid using ice. Take some over the counter pain medicine.
How To Use:
Process 1:

• Wrap some ice cubes in a clean towel.
• Apply it directly over affected area.
• Keep it on until the ice is completely melted.
• Repeat this twice a day.

Process 2:

• Soak your towel in ice cold water.
• Wring out excessive water.
• Then use it as cold compress on pinched nerve.
• Repeat this method two times in one day.

Heat For Pinched Nerve

Applying heat on pinched nerve can help you get rid of the pain. It will increase the blood circulation which can remove any blockage of blood near the pinched nerves.
Warmness also relaxes our muscle tissues. Hence, heat will expands the muscle fibers and speed up the healing process. If you are taking over the counter painkillers then improved blood flow will help the drug to reach at the point faster.
Speedy recovery is triggered if there is no herniated disk. In case of herniated disk, warm compress is not a good idea. It can produce reverse result and may increase the swelling.
So can i use heat for pinched nerve or not? Yes, again you can use it. It will reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. If you are suffering from lower back pain then heat packs will also provide quick relief. However, in the case of herniated disk avoid using heat compress.
How To Use:
Process 1:

• Take one bowl of mild warm water.
• Soak a clean hand towel and wring out excessive water.
• Cover the affected area with this towel.
• Keep it on for 1 minute then do 10 such repetitions..

Process 2:

• Fill a heat pack with mild warm water.
• Keep it on painful area.
• Don’t apply pressure, just keep it on the top of the skin.
• One can use it for 10-15 minutes.

Ice or Heat for Pinched Nerve?

So now we know that, both the natural treatments for pinched nerve can be used. So which one is better?
Health Rewire Study [Practical]
We asked 12 volunteers to take simple 3 days test. They were divided into 2 groups of 6 people. All of them were on prescription drugs such as analgesic and pain relievers. Among these 12 patients of pinched nerve, they are of both gender male and female. Non of them were suffering from herniated disk.
Group A was asked to use heat pack on painful area. They were asked to use heat pack 3 times in one day. They must have to take a 4 hour of interval before using it again.
Group B was asked to use ice pack on painful area with same uses frequency as of Group A.
After 3 days of observations, we found out that people who used heat packs and warm compress showed quick recovery. Therefore, we found that “Group A” was able to reduce pain and inflammation by 60% and “Group B” was able to reduce pain and inflammation by 40%.

Hence, from our own study, we found that heat will work better in comparison of ice pack in treatment of pinched nerve pain and inflammation.

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