• MinnesotaGoddam@lemmy.world
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    7 hours ago

    huh, so my dad had back problems his entire life. he trained me to put cold on my back if i hurt it. basically, if there’s a pinched nerve, the cold reduces the inflammation. eases the pressure. whereas heat expands everything, and could (doesn’t always) increase the pinch on the nerve or cause a spasm.

    and y’know, what you’re taught as a kid is what you think is normal. has putting heat on your back ever caused it to get worse? more i think about it the more that sounds bullshit to me.

    • Boozilla@sh.itjust.works
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      7 hours ago

      Some recommend heat, some recommend cold, some recommend alternating between them. My back was ‘seizing up’ and the heat seemed to relax it. I mostly think it’s just something to do while waiting for the drugs to kick in.