Heat Application and Cold Application
Heat application method is mostly considered when dealing with mild symptoms because the best choice for the pain with spinal stenosis is heat because of osteoarthritis [4]. Applying heat raises the flow of blood, leading to the relaxation of muscles and eradicating aching joints. This procedure is very simple. However, it could get complicated when considering what temperature is best as extremely high temperatures could cause more damage, such as burns. Patients are advised to go through this procedure under the tutelage of medical doctors to prevent any form of complication.
Sometimes the symptoms being observed are not related to heat. Therefore applying heat would prove fruitless. Applying an ice pack or a frozen gel pack helps strengthen the bones, eradicate inflammation in the back, and decrease swelling. Ice is usually placed on the back at 20 minutes’ intervals because excess cold could cause more complications.