my chiropracter recommended ice - but *for me* that increased the pain and spasming. After some (painful) experimentation we found that about 10 minutes of ice followed by 1/2 hour or more of gentle warmth (a heating pad in my case) satisfied HIM the most - *I* think it responded better to just warmth - but then again - I can't see the small of my back and don't know what he was looking for.