Pain is caused by a variety of things, but no matter what the cause, ice is a basic and commonly used pain reliever. An ice pack is easy to use and has a wide variety of applications. Heating an area too soon, or post-activity, may hinder the healing process by increasing blood flow and swelling. Ice, on the other hand, is generally safe to use at any time. In the arena of pain control, if in doubt, choose ice as your method of treatment.
Effects
Ice acts as a vasoconstrictor, decreasing the size of your blood vessels. This constriction decreases blood flow to the area, which is helpful in controlling any swelling or inflammation that you have. The numbing effects of the ice decrease your pain sensors, as well as decrease the activity of neurons. This allows for an effective disruption of your pain spasm cycle, which is often key in pain control.
Application
Although there are a number of ice application methods, the ice pack is the most commonly used. You can create an ice pack with a plastic bag and ice cubes, or crushed ice if you want better contact with a bony area of pain. Ice packs should be applied to the area of pain for 15 to 20 minutes, and can be reapplied as often as once per hour. Placing a thin towel between the ice and your skin can eliminate ice injuries such as frostbite.
Types
A variety of ice packs are available for your use. Along with the plastic bag of ice, you have a variety of chemical ice packs on the market. These are helpful if you are in an area where you won't be able to keep ice frozen. Make sure to avoid contact with the chemicals inside the ice pack. Leaking chemical packs may give you chemical burns. A bag of frozen vegetables is another option, and conforms well to your body. Toweling must be applied, as the bag of veggies is colder than freezing when removed from the freezer.
Uses
You should use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours after an injury, or until the swelling is under control. Ice is often used post-activity to decrease irritation and swelling. It can also be used pre-activity with stretching. Due to the anti-inflammatory effects, ice is beneficial in the treatment of any "itis," which means inflammation. Bursitis, tendonitis and capsulitis are all conditions in which ice is an effective treatment, both for pain and swelling reduction.
Considerations
Use caution when applying ice to areas with decreased sensation, or if you have skin sensitivity to cold. Seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment, if you have unexplained or continued pain.
