Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, is used to reduce pain and swelling. Neck pain from all sources, including trauma, sports injury or repetitive use, can be lessened by the application of ice packs. Cold is often the first therapeutic tool applied after injury to decrease the immediate pain and reduce the amount of inflammation and intensity of muscles spams. The proper application of ice therapy will help diminish neck pain, swelling and muscle tightness.
Contradindications to Cyrotherapy
Cyrotherapy is inadvisable over body areas where numbness, tingling or lack of sensation are present due to the fact that the degree of coldness cannot be felt. If the following medical conditions exist, cold therapy should not be used: Raynaud's Phenomenon, cold hypersensitivity, hives and skin irritation or rash caused by exposure to cold. The following conditions are not contraindications to ice packs but additional attention may be necessary: Cardiac conditions, high blood pressure and healing wounds.
Physiology
According to therapy experts and authors Dana L. Davis and Susan Spinasanta, "Heat and ice are the two most common types of passive, non-invasive, and non-addictive therapies." Cold therapy constricts the blood vessels, thus slowing circulation causing reduction of pain, swelling and spasm. Cold is best applied to a new injury. Heat therapy sends additional blood flow to the areas through vasodilation. Therefore, cyrotherapy should only be used, and heat therapy should be avoided, during the first 72 hours, known as the acute phase, following the initial occurrence or re-occurrence of neck pain.
Proper Application
The ice pack should be placed over the painful area of the neck. If a muscle tension headache is present, the location of the ice pack should be on the upper aspect of the back of neck where it connects to the skull. Cover the ice pack with a towel to help retain its coldness. Never apply cold therapy directly to bare skin. Always protect the skin from over exposure and possible skin and nerve damage by placing a barrier such as a towel between the ice pack and the skin.
Time Frame
The proper time allotment for the application of ice treatment is between 10 to 20 minutes. This should be followed by 60 minutes without the cyrotherapy on the exact location. After the 60-minute break, the cold therapy may be re-applied for another 10 to 20 minutes. This cycle can be repeated several times to reduce pain, swelling and muscle spams in the neck.
Cervical Spine
The neck or cervical spine can become painful, swollen or tight from a wide range of activities. The neck muscles attach the head to the vertebra, sternum, collar bones and shoulder blades. The neck functions to move and support the head. Proper care to the neck is essential to health, fitness, functionally and productivity. The proper application of a cold pack at the start of a neck condition is paramount to caring for the injury, preventing additional damage and returning to full efficiency.
