Icing is an essential part of injury management. It is an inexpensive, effective, and drugless method for relieving the pain associated with injuries, and injury management. A safe application of ice to your body part can relieve pain symptoms from sprains, strains, bruises, and tendonitis, and assist any situation in which superficial tissues are inflamed by some sort of trauma.
Icing, in its simplest form, is a pain reliever, without the side effects of drugs. It gives us an alternative form of therapy, by numbing painfully inflamed tissues. There are many uses of icing, depending on your injury. The most commonly iced acute injuries are ligament sprains, muscle sprains, and severe bruising. Icing is also used for injury prevention, used as a maintenance method to help reduce injuries in the future. You will also see icing to reduce swelling and inflammation, after surgery.
You should ice injuries for 20 minutes, and allow time before icing again. Icing lowers body temperature around the affected area, decreasing blood flow which in turn helps to reduce swelling. After icing, the body naturally rewarms itself, and as the blood flow increases, inflammation is slowly reduced. Use ice for the first 24 - 48 hours, and then alternate.
The R.I.C.E. treatment is best for early treatment of acute soft tissue injuries, such as a sprain, strain, or injury. The acronym R.I.C.E. stands for:
The primary goal of R.I.C.E. is to bring pain and swelling under control as quickly as possible.
Rest is needed for the healing of injured tissue. Otherwise, movement and weight bearing can continue to aggravate the injury and cause increased inflammation and swelling. You should reduce or stop using the injured area for 48 hours initially.
Ice is useful for reducing pain and inflammation associated with an acute injury. Ice can be applied for 20 minutes at a time, as frequently as every hour if tolerated, or 4 to 8 times a day if preferred. Icing is most effective if done the first couple of days after the injury has occurred. ICE20 Ice Wraps utilize real ice, which stay colder longer than traditional gel packs, and won’t get you wet. ICE20 Ice Wraps are also more convenient because you can get ice anywhere; you don’t always have access to a freezer when on vacation, or short periods away from home. Because of ICE20’s mobility and stability, you have a convenient way to ice, and stay active if need be.
Compression of an injury, helps to reduce the swelling and provides support. ICE20 Ice Wraps are made specifically for each individual body part, assuring they provide total compression to the affected area. ICE20 Ice Wraps come in sizes, and cover the Double Ankle, Small Knee/Elbow, Single Knee, Double Knee, Back/Hip, Single Shoulder, Double Shoulder, Combo Arm, Neck/Traps, and Double Breast.
The injured body part, should be elevated above the level of your heart to optimize venous return to the heart. Lay down and use a pillow to help elevate the injured limb.
Get professional treatment if any injury is severe. A severe injury means having an obvious fracture or dislocation of a joint, prolonged swelling, or prolonged or severe pain.
( This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual.)