There’s a lot of chatter out there about whether ice ? is good for injuries. In our opinion, when ice is applied to injuries shortly after they occur and even while they are healing, icing is excellent for injuries.
What Does Icing Do To Injuries?
Using a cold compress or an ice pack on an injury right after it happens is an effective way to decrease inflammation and numb any pain in the affected area. Because the coldness ?️ of the ice constricts the blood vessels and decreases circulation to the area, applying ice reduces pain and swelling ?.
Lessening swelling at the time that an injury takes place can potentially reduce the recovery time ?. Ice also reduces bleeding in the tissues and eases muscle spasms.
How To Ice An Injury
Although the application of ice to an injury will vary depending on where the injury is located and how severe it is, icing is usually best done at 20-minute intervals. This means holding the ice on the injured area for 20 minutes ⌚️ and then taking a break for 20 minutes before applying cold again.
When it comes to sports and other strenuous activities, it may help to ice an overuse injury after practice ?️ and games ⚽️ to alleviate pain and strain.
Some Icing Precautions
Although icing is a great way to manage an injury, there are some health precautions ⚠️ to note:
- Do not place solid ice directly to the injury. Ensure the ice is wrapped in a cloth or packet.
- Don’t use ice packs on the left shoulder if you have a heart condition.
- It’s best not to use ice packs around the front of the neck.
- Never use ice on a chronic injury, such as an overuse injury, before physical activity.
For more helpful information about treating injuries and pain, keep an eye ? on our blog.
