Role of Heat and Electrical Stimulation in West Des Moines Back Pain Treatment
What is more comforting – heat or ice? Bet you said ‘heat’! Executive Chiropractic of Iowa gets it. Heat is comfortable and comforting to many West Des Moines back pain sufferers. Cold is great therapy and recommended in initial treatment phases, but heat has a role in healing. When paired - heat and electrical stimulation - pain can’t refuse. Heat and electrical stimulation calm and alleviate pain. Executive Chiropractic of Iowa advises that West Des Moines back pain and neck pain patients use heat, ice and electrical stimulation as appropriate for pain relief.
BENEFIT OF HEAT FOR PAIN RELIEF
Heat reduces the perception of pain for many. Heat and cold lead the list of things that low back pain patients believe decreased their pain most followed by medication, rest, exercise, speaking with a health professional, stretching, not doing aggravating activities, and psychological changes. (1) Doctors look for ways to elicit “offset analgesia,” a disproportionally large reduction in pain due to a small decrease in stimulation intensity. Heat is one well-known and documented way to do this. Electrical stimulation is another. Perceived or actual, the pain reduction is positive for a back pain sufferer. (2) If something reduces pain for a West Des Moines back pain patient, Executive Chiropractic of Iowa will consider its use.
BENEFIT OF HEAT AND ELECTRICAL STIMULATION FOR BACK PAIN RELIEF
Heat feels good. Electrical stimulation feels good. Back pain and neck pain patients seek feeling “good” when they hurt. For nonspecific low back pain sufferers, it is a significant cause of disability, larger than any other health condition around the world. Doctors and researchers are always on the lookout for a way to better manage it. One group of researchers theorized that electrical muscle stimulation and heat would provide better pain relief and improve patients’ subjective view of pain. And their experimental trial proved them right! They found a statistically significant reduction in pain after 18 treatments. The relief was even noted at 3 months’ follow up. Patients’ mood in addition to muscle strength and endurance also improved. (3) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa guides West Des Moines back pain and neck pain sufferers to pain relief with all sorts of modalities. Whatever it takes! The heat and stimulation combination enhance each other’s benefit.
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. David Homer on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson. For some conditions like spasmodic torticollis, heat can be especially comforting and pain relieving. The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management integrates heat, too, in in-office chiropractic care and at- home care.
Schedule your West Des Moines chiropractic appointment today! Executive Chiropractic of Iowa is all about nonsurgical and nonpharmacological West Des Moines pain relief. If heat is soothing and relieving to a West Des Moines back pain sufferer, Executive Chiropractic of Iowa is prepared to try it!
