Using ice to treat injuries is one of the oldest methods of pain control. Proven to be safe and effective at reducing swelling, relieving pain and decreasing muscle spasms, ice therapy is an easy self-care technique that anyone can administer. Every mother knows to put ice on a bruised knee after a soccer game or on a teething toddler's tender gums. But do you really know how ice works?
Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, works on the principle of heat exchange. This occurs when you place a cooler object in direct contact with an object of warmer temperature, such as ice against skin. The cooler object will absorb the heat of the warmer object. Why is this important when it comes to cold therapy?
After an injury, blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells are damaged. The cells around the injury increase their metabolism in an effort to consume more oxygen. When all of the oxygen is used up, the cells die. Also, the damaged blood vessels cannot remove waste. Blood cells and fluid seep into spaces around the muscle, resulting in swelling and bruising. When ice is applied, it lowers the temperature of the damaged tissue through heat exchange and constricts local blood vessels. This slows metabolism and the consumption of oxygen, therefore reducing the rate of cell damage and decreasing fluid build-up. Ice can also numb nerve endings. This stops the transfer of impulses to the brain that register as pain.
Most therapists and doctors advise not to use heat right after an injury, as this will have the opposite effect of ice. Heat increases blood flow and relaxes muscles. It's good for easing tight muscles, but will only increase the pain and swelling of an injury by accelerating metabolism.
When it comes to cooling devices, different effects will result due to the device's ability to exchange heat. Crushed ice packs do a better job at cooling the body than chemical or gel packs, because they last longer and are able to draw four times the amount of heat out of tissue. The important difference is that ice packs undergo phase change, allowing them to last longer at an even temperature, creating a more effective treatment. Most chemical or one-time-use packs and gel packs do not undergo phase change. They quickly loose their ability to transfer heat, limiting their effectiveness to reduce swelling. Their short duration of cold is not long enough to produce numbness, also reducing their ability to relieve pain.
Cold therapy should always be used as soon as possible after an injury occurs and continued for the following 48 hours at 15 to 20 minute intervals. Remember ? if you hurt yourself, you need to ice!
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with your physician in the event of a serious injury.
About The Author
Louise Roach is the editor of an on-line health and fitness newsletter. She has been instrumental in the research, testing and development of SnowPack, a patented cold therapy that exhibits the same qualities as ice. Her injury prevention and treatment articles have been published on running, walking and fitness websites.
For more information visit: http://www.snowpackusa.com or NewsFlash*SnowPack at: http://home.netcom.com/~newsflash. Louise Roach can be reached at: info@snowpackusa.com
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). This... Read More
In a recent survey on pain conducted by the Stanford... Read More
The patient, known only as John Doe, was difficult to... Read More
With the hum of the election campaign and the debate... Read More
The drug Lorazepan is marketed under the names Alzapam, Ativan,... Read More
Hi Rusty. A few days ago, I slightly injured a... Read More
It just seemed too absurd to be true, but there... Read More
Madeline Mann once weighed less can a can of soda... Read More
Each year hospitals end up killing twice as many people... Read More
According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Association of... Read More
Purchasing drugs from a Mexican pharmacy is, for the most... Read More
The five drugs that are discussed in this article are... Read More
1. Seeing a doctor who's not board-certified or a doctor... Read More
For well over a century modern science has progressed at... Read More
Your colon is a place for other parasites and organisms... Read More
Most people are well aware that an estimated 45 million... Read More
Sinusitis and Sinus Infection Starts with a Little SniffleYes, I... Read More
Millions of Americans suffer with Peripheral Neuropathy and until recently... Read More
Michael Richardson, MD has some suggestions on maximizing your next... Read More
Risperdal is an atypical anti-psychotic drug that balances the levels... Read More
Overview Melatonin is a natural hormone, which is produced and... Read More
As any dialysis patient will tell you, keeping your fluid... Read More
Cybill Shepherd has revealed that she suffers from irritable bowel... Read More
Bextra, also known as valdecoxib, is a prescribed medication used... Read More
Electronic Medical RecordAn Electronic Medical Record is a secured electronic... Read More
Rezulin, a prescription type 2 diabetes drug has been withdrawn... Read More
When your knee hurts, getting relief is all that's on... Read More
What's Insomnia?Identifying insomnia is a little like the old joke... Read More
In patients with corneal thickness below a certain minimum, performing... Read More
Many natural changes in fingers and toenails come with age.... Read More
Orthotics are devices which fit into the shoe to aid... Read More
While everybody else is wandering around enjoying the spring weather,... Read More
Do you suffer from ulcers?If yes, what kind is it... Read More
You've been getting headaches. Finally, you find some medications that... Read More
Medical Care:Treatment options depend on the stage of ingrown toenails,... Read More
The police arrive at the accident scene promptly. A driver... Read More
What's Insomnia?Identifying insomnia is a little like the old joke... Read More
Can you always trust your dentists' recommendations? Think for yourself... Read More
Personal injury attorneys representing clients who have allegedly been harmed... Read More
Anxiety is the most frequently occurring mental health disorder in... Read More
How many of us have taken aspirin or a similar... Read More
I couldn't resist the title's corny riff on the name... Read More
If you are a regular user of prescription medications, you... Read More
When was the last time you enjoyed a good night's... Read More
Ever given a piece of thought to how actually one... Read More
Stop! and imagine for one moment that your body is... Read More
Generic DrugsGeneric Online Pharmacies started making a big impact on... Read More
Stool Softener Laxatives - EmollientsStool softeners and emollients work by... Read More
The answer is simple: there is no such thing as... Read More
Are you spending a fortune on prescription arthritis medicines? Are... Read More
The unfortunate truth about medical errors is that they plague... Read More
Throughout time there have always been two opposing points of... Read More
Chrisopher Reeve has died. But his vision of a "Cure"... Read More
Since early 2004, it has become more apparent every day... Read More
Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or... Read More
What is a coronary heart attack?Are you at the risk... Read More
Over the past few years, stem cells have been getting... Read More
The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis... Read More
Heat has long been used to provide temporary relief of... Read More
Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More
If you are missing a tooth or a group of... Read More
Pill Proof LLC introduces the first, easy to use medication... Read More
Serevent is an asthma inhalation medication, a bronchodilator, that relaxes... Read More
(NC)-In most cases insect bites are harmless and if left... Read More
The word Antibiotic is constructed from Greek words anti, which... Read More
At the urging of the Food and Drug Administration, the... Read More
Medicine |