Ice pack or Heating Pad?

For standard procedure, physiotherapists or doctors will recommend you to use ice pad on the suffering area for the first 48 hours as ice can prevent your body to produce too much fluid on the injured tissues which will 'block' the area and slow its recovering speed. Also, you can take some Ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory tablets to prevent the area from inflammation. After these primary treatments then you can start using hot towel to warm the area. Make sure you keep the area warm all the time so the muscles (or tendon) will not get injured again because of cold. If you merely pulled the muscles, it won't take more than 2 weeks to recover if you rest your neck properly. If it is tendon, then you need at least 4 weeks before pain free. But the most important of all, seek advice from medical professionals. They will find the best way to treat your neck pain!

Well, from experience taking Aleve..they weren't helpful at all. But Advil worked Best more then anything else. And sometimes it is best to alternate between the hot and cold packs. A hot water bottle?? that is what I have used when I pulled something..but a cold pack helps with swelling at times especially right after it happens. Have you thought of a massager on gentle setting?

Ice packs and heat pads are among the most commonly used treatments in orthopedics. Ice treatments is most used for acute injuries. If you have a recent injury within the last 48 hours, you should be using ice treatment. Ice pack can help minimize swelling around the injury. Heat treatments should be used for chronic conditions to help relax and loosen tissues, and to simulate blood flow to the area. Do not use heat treatments after activity and after an acute injury.

Try both see which works the best, also try using some ointment or something

I would go with a heating pad. Personally it helps relax muscles and even help with pressure headachs. Ice is usually for swelling. You could try icy hot, it gets hot and cold.

Looks like the icey/hot patch is the solution to your pain. The best of both worlds.

Hi. missybear. I hope that you will feel better really soon. I know all about neck and back pain. Have you ever heard of a product called, Biofreeze? I know that this works fast on contact in cooling the pain down. An ice pack would be better. It can reduce the pain from your neck. It will ease the muscle pain too. Consulting with an Chiropractor would also be great too. There may be some pain relieving techniques that he/she can use to subside your pain. I hope that you will feel so much better very soon. Take care.

I have always heard that rotating between the hot and cold is good. There are some good Goodies powders for "back pain" relief. Just don't take too many of them. They taste awful but they can be a lifesaver if you are hurting.

hi there .. i dont know what exactly is pain of the neck but if the most all medicine is not useless why you not tried to doctor and maybe you give the good pils

for the first 24 hours apply cold compress or ice pack for in reduces the tendency of swelling ( swelling can compress your pain receptors which eventually gives you the sensation of pain) after the 24 hours apply hot compress or heating pads for it increases blood flow in the injured area and help repair the damage tissue. take only pain pills if the pain is unbearable. remember pain pills is the last option