Shoulder ice packs are designed to treat injuries. Ice packs and compresses can relieve pain, prevent swelling and speed up recovery time. Ice will slow down the body's natural reaction to swell and cause inflammation which can otherwise become very painful as well as prevent movement without pain. Ice will also help by numbing any pain an injury might otherwise cause. By circumventing the swelling step, the body can move on to the healing process.
Step 1
Apply the bag of frozen peas over the shoulder. A bag of frozen peas or chopped vegetables is good because it is easily and cheaply bought at the grocery store, will stay cold for a long time, is reusable and will mold very well against the skin without discomfort or turning into an easily popped bag of water like ice will.
Step 2
Place the hand of the injured arm on the hip and wrap the plastic wrap two to three times around the bag of frozen peas and the upper arm of the injured person.
Step 3
Wrap the plastic wrap from the shoulder diagonally across the the chest, around the back and back to the shoulder two to three times. This should help stabilize the ice pack and keep it in place.
Step 4
Wrap the plastic wrap over the upper arm and shoulder two to three more times to ensure the ice pack stays in place and does not shift around.
Step 5
Secure the plastic wrap in place with tape for long term use. The best way is to follow the same pattern as the plastic and wrap the tape around the upper arm and then across the chest and back.
Step 6
Pulling a fitted T-shirt over you can help keep the ice pack in place. This is an optional step but is a good way to keep the ice pack in place throughout the day if it does not prove to be a discomfort for the injured person.
Tips and Warnings
- The bag of frozen peas can be reused simply by putting it back into the freezer. Buying multiple bags of frozen peas will allow you to rotate between bags for long term use.
Things You'll Need
- Bag of frozen peas
- Plastic wrap
- Tape
- Tightly fitting T-shirt
References
- Ice Bags: Shoulder Ice Packs
- "Sport First Aid - 4th Edition": Melinda Flegel: 2008
