Ice-pack : ice pack, ice wrap, and cold treatment ice therapy for for injuries, joint pain, and post-surgery inflammation relief products from Senior Health Stores.

Ice Therapy — Why is ice used for injuries? — Ice is used after an injury to reduce swelling, joint pain, and decrease post-surgery inflamation. Ice decreases blood flow to the injured tissue and reduces inflammation.

When should I use ice? — Ice should be used as a cold treatment ice therapy for injuries during the first 2 to 3 days after an injury or until the swelling goes away. For instance, if you sprained your ankle 5 days ago and it is still swollen, you should continue to use an ice wrap.

How should I use ice? — You can make an ice pack by placing ice cubes or crushed ice in a Ziploc-type plastic bag or you can use a commercial frozen gel pack. To avoid frostbite, do not put an ice pack directly on your skin. Instead, place the ice pack over a wet washcloth or towel. Use an elastic bandage to hold the ice pack in place. Ice packs should be used for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours.

To do ice massage, first freeze water in a paper or Styrofoam cup. Then tear away the top lip of the cup and rub the ice over the injured area for 5 to 10 minutes. Ice massage works very well for overuse injuries.

When you first apply ice, you will feel coldness, then burning. Then, after several minutes, the area will become numb.

Can there be any harmful effects from ice therapy? — If ice packs are put directly on the skin and left too long, frostbite may occur. The skin and tissue underneath (muscles, nerves, and fat) may be injured, either temporarily or permanently. Certain parts of the body (including the elbow, the knee, and the foot) can be injured by cold more easily because they don't have as much padding or insulation.

If you have nerve, vascular, or skin problems ask your healthcare provider if you should use ice packs.

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Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, is most effective in the early or acute stage of inflammation, before range of motion exercises and rehabilitation. It works on the principle of heat exchange whereby the cooler object will absorb the heat from the warmer one, that being your body.

After an injury, surrounding blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients and take away waste products are damaged. Everything slows down and now blood and other fluids seep into the space around muscles, causing swelling, bruising, and pain. Applying ice lowers temperature of the damaged area; constricts or makes blood vessels smaller, thus reducing tissue damage; and slows down nerve impulses, which also decreases pain.