Why does lower back pain occur after applying heat?
Disease description:
I've had some lower back pain recently, so I applied a warm compress. However, the pain worsened after the heat application. The pain also becomes severe after prolonged bending. What could be causing this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Low back pain after applying heat therapy may be related to the following situations:
1. Improper temperature and duration of heat application: The recommended water temperature for heat therapy should be maintained at 60–70°C, and for elderly individuals, it should be below 50°C. Excessively high temperatures may burn the skin and worsen the pain.
2. Inappropriate timing of heat application: Applying heat within 24 hours after a lumbar spine injury may cause small blood vessels to dilate, increasing local bleeding and swelling.
3. Improper method of heat application: Using an excessively hot heating pad or applying heat to the same area for a prolonged period may cause burns and lead to pain. In addition, incorrect heat application methods may excessively relax the muscles, causing them to lose supporting strength, thereby worsening low back pain.
4. Exacerbation of inflammatory response: Heat therapy can improve blood circulation and accelerate local metabolism, which may help alleviate certain types of muscle strain or minor sprains. However, if there is acute inflammation, infection, or a bleeding disorder in the lower back, heat therapy might intensify the inflammatory response, leading to increased pain.
5. Nerve compression: If low back pain is caused by structural issues such as intervertebral disc herniation or spinal scoliosis, heat therapy may not directly relieve nerve compression and could potentially worsen symptoms due to localized tissue swelling.
