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Cold Treatment

Cold packs helps with bruises and swelling. For the first 48 hours after back symptoms start, apply a cold pack (or bag of ice) to the painful area. Lie on your back with your knees bent, and put the cold pack under your lower back. Do this for 5-10 minutes at a time, several times a day.

Heat Treatment

Heat increases blood flow, which helps in healing. However, do not use heat on a back strain until 48 or more hours after back symptoms start. Use cold treatment first (see "Cold Treatment" above). If used sooner, heat can make the pain and swelling worse. Use a moist heating pad, a hot-water bottle, hot compresses, a hot tub, hot baths, or hot showers. Use heat for 10 minutes at a time. Do this several times a day. Be careful not to burn yourself.

Braces or Corsets

Braces and corsets support your back and keep you from moving it too much. They do what strong back muscles do, but they won't make your back stronger.

Spinal Manipulation**

This treatment, done by a professional such as chiropractor or physical therapist, uses the hands to apply force to "adjust" the spine. This can be helpful for some people in the first month of low back symptoms.

Check with your doctor about spinal manipulations.