The distinguishing characteristic is the presence of inflammation. not all
back problems have an inflammatory component and therefore may respond better
to heat. Muscle soreness for example. But a pull or strain may need ice.
Inflammation = ice, inflammation =ice, inflammation = ice. This is a new
mantra.

By the way, what is the difference between primary engorgment and secondary
engorgement? Engorgement by definition is edema and blood/lymph stasis
secondary to XYZ occurrence. Breast engorgment is edema and blood/lymph stasis
secondary to milk stasis. Milk stasis (like milk left in breasts when baby
starts sleeping longer at night) is not engorgement. So how can engorgement
ever be primary?

Alison K. Hazelbaker

<< A thought occurred to me while reading all the posts about hot versus cold.
 The cold makes sense with engorgement, but I wonder if anyone has ever been
to
 orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, etc. for back problems.  Yes, I know a
 back is different from breasts (saw a photo once and can really tell the
 difference), but, my point is that educated opinions often differ for the
same
 situation:   same back problem...one "expert" says use heat, the other says
 no, use ice.  Another says no heat or ice...lukewarm to warm(barely)  bath is
 appropriate.  Dry heat, wet heat...on and on it goes.  We once tried ice on
 the upper back, wet heat on the lower...we called it the "temperature
 challenge."  Can't remember which "won." >>