Pulled my back....

Ice is only if there's excessive swelling.. which is doubtful. Warmth and movement promotes circulation and healing.

I just went through a double disc herniation late last year and the Ortho surgeon suggested heat rather than ice. I ended up doing a little of both, ice when there was swelling and heat afterward. There were major pain killers involved as well, so there's no telling if either worked better than the other. I managed to squeak by without having to have surgery (steroid shots and yoga got me past it). I think though, if I did not have the steroids to reduce inflammation I'd go with ice.

It depends on the injury but basically whatever feels good. For back I generally tend to stick to heat.