Cold/Hot therapy patches/ointments?

[Manick]

I've been using some herbal cream called Golden Sunshine and IcyHot patches in an attempt to preemptively reduce swelling and pain from post bowel movements, and so far, it seems to feel like its working. I talked with my PT about cold/hot therapy and its relationship with the nerves and muscles, and asked if this method would be useful for confusing nerve channels, and therefore reduce muscle tension. She claimed that this indeed is a very viable method for calming symptoms. I read all about nerve channel "cross-talk", and how other areas of neighboring organs in the body can be affected by one another if they become irritated. I also understand the concept that greater "distraction's" in general terms, be it physical or mental, can reduce nerve activity and even calm the nerves to reduce symptoms. In terms of physical distraction, I am sure most people have heard this joke plenty of times in the past after they complained about some pain they were having to a friend or relative of theirs, and received a response like "I can punch you really hard to make it feel better." and just laughed it off. I am also sure that most of you understand that this joke actually holds some medical merit, even if its mostly meant to be sarcastic. A greater physical sensation and/or pain, will tend to take priority of your nerves attention, as my PT basically confirmed for me. Therefore, there is a possibility that by applying the ointment/patches to the site that tends to swell up in pain after having my bowel movements, that the hot/cold therapy is actually disturbing my nerve channels enough to take my focus away from my IBS pain, to prevent it from becoming worse and worse and even affecting other nearby organs/muscles of my body.

Can anyone relate to my experience and/or understand this theory? I have not heard much or read much about cold/hot therapy in the application of CPPS, but I do think it could be an important part of reducing symptoms for some people. It seems to be working quite well for me, anyway.

[webslave]

Heat in chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome is usually used to relax muscles, which is also why symptoms are often milder in summer. Using heat and cold to distract nerves and short-circuit wind-up is an interesting idea.