My hubby has pulled a muscle in the hip about 2 months ago when he was going up and down a lot on a ladder helping a friend. When the pain got so bad he made an appointment. It has taken 3 or 4 weeks before he could finally see the doc.

He is having a lot of pain in the lower back, hip, and down the one leg. The doc said he had pulled a muscle, but was also having muscle spasms in the hip and then gave him some shots that seem to help but also told him to do some exercises. The doc was going to explain what exercises to do and wanted him to use a heating pad and cool pack but forgot as he was running behind.

I remember my mom went thru this a few years ago and you guys answered this in chat, but I am not sure I remember correctly what we did. Is it heating pad for 5 to 10 minutes, exercises, then cold pack for 5 or 10 minutes, or the other way around? And what type of leg exercise should he be doing?

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I think it is long past the time that a cold pack would help. The cold pack is primarily to reduce swelling, and, if he is still swelling from an injury two months ago, it is more than just a pulled muscle.

I really can't answer your questions without knowing a great deal more, but, in any case, please remember to never sleep on a heating pad. The heat can build up and cause permanent tissue damage. If he needs the warmth to be able to sleep, unplug the pad when he goes to bed. The heat can't build up that way.