Ankylosing Spondylitis Support Group

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic form of arthritis--it is an inflammatory disease that causes joints, cartilage or other fibrous tissue (such as ligaments and tendons) to turn into bone. Ankylosing spondylitis is part of the group of rheumatic diseases. The disease is characterized by progressive stiffness, tenderness, and pain in joints. Pain can be episodic and...

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Heating Pad v. Ice Pack

deleted_user
deleted_user
Normally when you think of something being inflammed you think of grabbing an ice pack. But nothing is better in the morning than a hot shower to get rid of the stiffness. :)

When your lower back hurts (spine, etc.) what have you found works the best? Do you put heat on it? Put an ice pack on it? Take a hot shower?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have found ice does not work for me.. but heat does - either hot shower or heated gel pack.
deleted_user
deleted_user
both works and yes the shower is a great idea ... but I did find that a hot tub or jacuzzi works awesome but I can't stay in it to long or I pay big time the next day and can even go into a minor flair-up if I stay in to long.
deleted_user
deleted_user
HEAT!!! It's the only thing that dulls the pain. Since its not a new injury, I treat my sore spots like tendonitis...with moist heat. A soak in a hot tub also works wonders when I can't relax to sleep.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I find damp heat is way best for me, hot tub, shower, or even a damp microwaved towel.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm like the rest of you. Hot shower in the morning SOMETIMES benefits me; a hot tub yes but again not too long. Once in a blue moon and ice pack. Started taking methotrexate 3 weeks for pain, so will let you know. I take percocet sometimes to help..when it's bad I take it daily to move. Somedays I can't walk in the morning. Any meds help you folks?
deleted_user
deleted_user
A hot shower works really well for the morning stiffness but a heating pad actually makes the pain 10x worse for me. Probably the same as staying in a hot tub for too long.
The key is moderation. Too much ice can increase stiffness and too much heat can cause a mini-flare-up for me.
I only use ice when I'm out of options.
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