Ice therapy

Treat exercise or sports injuries with ice for the first 48 to 72 hours after injury. It is safe, effective, and cheap. Ice therapy relieves pain and slows blood flow to the injury. This reduces internal bruising and swelling. The key is to start applying ice as soon as possible after the injury. If not, the injury may cause pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of mobility.

Ice therapy limits tissue damage and helps healing. Cover the injured area with a wet towel and place a plastic bag full of ice over it. A dry towel insulates the skin from the cooling effect. Commercial cold packs are good for emergencies because they can be stored in the freezer. Be careful not to puncture gel packs. The chemicals from the gel will burn the skin. Another alternative is a one- or two-pound bag of frozen corn or peas. These bags mold well to the area of injury and can be refrozen for further treatments.

Rest the acute injuries, do not use or bear weight (standing, walking, etc.), until evaluated by provider. The duration depends on the type of injury and how deep it is. A deep muscle injury takes longer to cool than a joint, which is closer to the skin. Muscle cooling occurs within 10 minutes in thin athletes. Severe bruises can benefit from icing intervals for up to 7 days. When mild discomfort is first felt from overusing a joint or muscle, apply ice 4 to 8 times a day for the next 48 hours.

Ice massage can be applied to an injured area with slow, circular strokes. It also adds the benefit of compression. Ice massage is especially good for treating the pain of tennis elbow. Use ice cubes or freeze water in a paper cup. Tear off the upper edge of the cup after the water becomes ice. This will expose some of the ice and provide an insulated grip for the ice massaging. Massage the injured area for 5 to 10 minute intervals. Do this on and off for a couple of hours. Do not apply ice any longer than this.

Some precautions are necessary when treating an injury with ice. Do not leave ice directly on the skin. Keep it moving or wrap it in a wet towel. To avoid skin damage, stop icing once the skin is numb. Be careful with commercial cold packs. They may be colder than regular ice. Do not use ice on blisters or open cuts or sores. People who are very sensitive to cold or who have a circulation problem should not use ice. Be careful icing the elbow or knee. The nerves in these areas can be damaged by icing too long.

See a healthcare provider if pain persists for longer than 72 hours after an injury, despite icing.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File SPOR3341.rf2 VRS# 7539 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999-2000, 2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.