Hot and Cold Bulging Disc Treatment

A popular method for bulging disc treatment is to use either heat or ice. It is not uncommon to see a baseball pitcher ice his arm after throwing 100 or more pitches in a game. Similarly, other athletes use heat after games, practices, and training sessions. The reason for hot and cold therapy is that it decreases the amount of pain, tenderness, and swelling that are likely to arise after a rigorous workout, or that are likely to arise due to a chronic condition like a bulging disc. Both heat therapy and cold therapy have their unique advantages, and an understanding of how they differ may help you distinguish the appropriate one to use for your specific condition.

Thermotherapy

Thermotherapy involves heat as a form of treatment which can be used for a bulging disc and many other conditions. Heat therapy works through vasodilatation, or drawing blood to the affected area in order to relax muscles, increase oxygen and nutrient flow, and improve range of motion. Thermotherapy sometimes achieves its best results when applying a heated pad for 20 or so minutes, removing the pad for another 20 minutes or so, and then applying the pad again. However, thermotherapy on its own will not generate lasting results. Instead, it will provide a temporary relief from the symptoms you are experiencing. For better long-term results, it should be combined with other treatment efforts recommended by a doctor or medical professional.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is essentially the opposite of thermotherapy. Cryotherapy involves the implementation of ice or cold packs, which are also commonly recommended for bulging disc treatment. In general, cryotherapy works to reduce swelling and numb pain. It achieves this by vasoconstriction, meaning that it constricts and slows down blood flow, muscle spasms, and inflammation at the point of application. Usage of ice or cold packs should not exceed 15 minutes, and a period of 15 or more minutes of rest without a pack should be used between application sessions. Just like thermotherapy, though, cryotherapy generally does not provide lasting relief from a bulging disc, and it should be combined with other treatment methods recommended by your doctor to help produce relief for the long run.