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." Incidentally, with breasts and engorgement, I have tried both at different times, and both worked...at different times. Very individualized. Linda Pincus, RN, IBCLC