The Deep Freeze

Just ice it. That’s the recommendation of many sports medicine specialists for post-injury and post-surgery treatment. The application of ice or cold to an injury or area has been shown to decrease pain and to prevent swelling. But it must be used correctly and at the right times. Here are some guidelines. Of course, if you have any questions, talk to your health-care provider.

Ice therapy is applied by either ice massage or ice bags or packs. During ice massage, ice is rubbed on the injured area directly, with ice cubes or disposable cups filled with water and then frozen. Ice packs can be made with cubed or crushed ice, or improvised with something from your freezer--a bag of frozen peas, for instance. Gel packs or other devices available at most pharmacies also fill the bill.

When to Use--and Not Use--Ice

* Use ice therapy for bruises, sprains, arthritic joints and stiff joints during physical therapy.

* Don’t use ice when applying to skin that lacks a normal blood supply because of injury, vascular disease or surgery. (Ice can decrease the flow of blood and cause further damage.)

How to Apply Ice

* Avoid applying ice directly to the skin; use a thin towel or piece of clothing in between. If you do apply the ice directly to the skin, don’t leave the ice on longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time because frostbite can occur.

* Apply ice to the injured area about every two hours. The more severe the pain and swelling, the more frequently you can apply the ice.

* With ice massage, rub the ice on the injury for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the skin is slightly numb. Make sure you’re sitting in a comfortable position, and gently rub, or have your partner gently rub, the affected area with ice. Be sure to keep the ice moving.

How to Tell You’ve Used Ice for Too Long

* Several minutes after removing the ice from your skin, that healthy pink color hasn’t returned.

* The area beyond the iced area is tingling or numb (a sign nerves are being frozen).

* The pain factor has increased despite ice therapy and pain-killing drugs.

Source: StayWell Co.