Ice decreases pain, spasm, and swelling. If you have:
- pain
- spasm
- swelling
ice may be good treatment option for you.
Basic instructions:
• Apply to area for 10-15 minutes.
• Remove when numb to the touch.
• Repeat after 15 minutes if there is still pain, spasm, or swelling.
There are 4 stages of sensation when icing following the acronym CBAN. This stands for Cold, Burning, Achy, Numb. The benefits of icing are noted when you reach numb.
Do not apply ice directly to the skin or you will wind up looking like Ralphie’s friend in “A Christmas Story”.
A light/thin layer between your ice and the skin will protect you.
Do not ice for longer than 15 minutes. At some point your body will think it is starting to freeze. This can cause the opposite of the effect we are looking for (hypothermia is bad). Even if it has not gone numb do not ice for longer than 15 minutes. Smaller body parts require less time before getting numb.
Contraindications to using Ice:
- Nerve damage where you cannot feel when it is numb.
- Raynaud’s syndrome.
- Cold intolerance.
- Decreased blood flow in the area.
- Open wound.
What can make icing more effective? Biofreeze (or another menthol-based product) when used with ice works better than icing or Biofreeze alone. Follow package instructions. This product is a topical treatment, making it convenient.
**Menthol is a type of alcohol, so do not apply to eyes or sensitive skin regions.**
Does icing fix the problem?
No. Ice decreases pain, spasm, and swelling. This temporary decrease of blood flow to an area may slow down the inflammatory process. Inflammation is bad in things like auto immune disorders like Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, and Gout. For an injury Inflammation is the process by which we recover. If temporarily decreasing pain spasm and swelling does not relieve your complaint see a provider.
We can help accelerate the healing process and teach you how to break the cycle of pain returning with use. Contact our Chiropractic office at 703-723-9355 or www.mybwdoc.com
