My physical therapist recommended cold therapy for my inflamed head, neck, and shoulders, but I prefer the feeling of moist heat.
Sometimes when I use cold packs, I feel like it makes my neck seize up more rather than relax it.
I'm also concerned that Burrascano says in his guidelines to avoid ice. Does anyone know why he made this recommendation?
What are your experiences of ice or heat for pain reduction? Do you alternate, or choose one or the other?
Thanks!
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
I heard a doc speak on this on the radio a few weeks ago. She said you can learn some info by trying ice on headaches.
Ice causes the blood vessels to constrict. Some headaches are a result of poor circulation, and ice is then going to be a very poor choice in those situations, likely making it worse. But then in other situations it could reduce pain. I don't recall if she said more on what might be going on there.
So she thought trying ice could be instructive.
I see you are not specifically referencing headache, but when you say "inflamed head", I wonder what that means, if not headache.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- As you say, Dr. B says no ice.
I would use ice but only at the moment of injury, not for on-going issue. I have read -- or maybe heard him explain in a conference video sometime - that spirochetes hate cold and they hate vibration - also high heat. Spirochetes can burrow more deeply and emit more toxins when irritated.
Still, just after some kind of injury, it would seem that ice might be important to prevent further pain.
For on-going pain, some WARMTH, however, can be good, especially moist gentle warmth.
If possible, find a PT who is very much lyme literate. There are so many things that go with lyme and if the PT is not LL, it can cause us more damage than good. It not just about this but all the tissue just is different for someone with lyme. Much different.
Advanced Topics in Lyme Disease (Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses
Dr. Burrascano's Treatment Guidelines (2008) - 37 pages
Page 27 - SUPPORTIVE THERAPY & CERTAIN ABSOLUTE RULES for self-care
Page 32 - in the Physical Therapy section,
#2 . . . DO NOT use ice
or electrical stim unless specifically ordered by our office. . . . -
[ 02-04-2016, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I also think that the reason you do better with moist gentle heat is that it helps smooth the spasming of the muscles that causes the pain. It allow the muscles to let go and relax.
Ice does that, too, but while first seizing them with a shock & numbing action to the muscles, so to speak. Just my thought, at least. And most of us do not do well with shocks to the system. For myself, I think the adrenals have also been put on high alert with ice therapy and that made me feel worse, too.
Massage may also work better for you if they can take their time and get to the trigger point, gently.
Ultimately, though, lyme - itself - often causes the muscles to seize and cause pain. While addressing the infection(s), be sure magnesium is on board 3 x day to help the muscles relax.
Cranial sacral therapy may be good, but never sharp or sudden twists of neck or spine (for anyone with lyme). A technique used by
UPLEDGER is gentle, though. Just go to their website to find those who have that training - many are covered by insurance. This would not replace physical therapy but could make it more effective. -