ICE AND COLD PACKS

ICE AND COLD PACKS

Ice and cold packs can ease pain such as in arthritis. Inflammation and infection can also get relief from ice and cold packs.

TYPES

  • Ice towel. Dip a towel on cold water and squeeze it until it is damp. Fold the towel, place it in a plastic bag and let it freeze for 15 minutes. Remove the towel from the bag and place it on the injured or sore area.
  • Ice pack. Place about 0.5 kg (1 lb) of ice in a plastic bag or ice pack. Add enough water to barely cover the ice. Squeeze the air out of the bag and seal it. Cover the bag in a wet towel and apply it to the affected area.

TREATMENT

Some ways of using cold therapy include:

  • Apply a cold compress or a chemical cold pack to the affected area for 20 minutes, every 4 to 6 hours, for 3 days. You can buy cold compresses
  • Sink into cold water.
  • To avoid an ice burn, massage the area with an ice cube or an ice pack in a circular motion for two to five times a day, at a maximum of 5 minutes.

In the case of an ice massage, ice can be placed directly to the skin, because it does not stay in one place.

Filling a plastic bag with frozen vegetables or ice and wrapping it in a dry cloth can produce a cold compress.

Ice is the best relief for recent injuries, especially where heat is being generated. It may not be applicable for back pain, possibly because the injury is not new, due to the problematic tissue, because of inflammation or because it lies deep beneath other tissues and far from the cold compress. Usually, muscle pain occurs in the back due to increased muscle tension, which can be worsened by cold treatments. Heat treatment may be a better option for back pain.

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