by Tracy Morrison

Created on: April 29, 2010

Ice packs and heat pads are the most common staples used in orthopedic medicine when treating an accute injury. Determining which one is the right one to use for your injury, ice or heat, is very important for successful injury healing. Ice packs are typically used when an injury is 48 hours old or less and swelling is obvious. Most pain comes from swollen muscles and tissue as it get tighter in the injured area. Applying Ice packs helps shrink those muscles and tissue assists in lessening the pain.

Icing an injured area of the body is an important part of recovery and treatment. Icing injuries can be very effective for sprains, strains, sports overuse injuries and severe bruises. Learning how to properly ice your injury can make all the difference

Get the ice applied to the injured area quickly. Properly applied ice packs are most effective immediately following an injury. The helpful effects of icing diminishes significantly 48 hours after the injury occurs. In the case of a broken bone, you may need to ice it everyday, several times a day while its in the cast. A broken or fractrured bone causes swelling well past the 48 hour mark and needs additional Icing to keep the pian at bay and keep the sweeling at a minimum.

Apply the ice pack(s) directly to the injured area.

Move the ice frequently, not allowing it to sit in one spot. Most people may need a washcloth or towel wrappoed around the ice pack due to extreme cold against the skin. To assist in transferring the "cold" more wuickly if the injured is in extreme pain, wrapping the ice pack in a damp washcloth can help the transfer of the cold temperature to the affected area.

Always elevate the area when possible.

Keeping the injured limb elevated, typically "above the heart" while icing, this assists in reducing the swelling.

Keeping Time...

Ice the area for 15-20 minutes at a time. Prolonged icing of the muscles can cause further damage to the tissues and possible muscle spasms by icing the area for too long.

Allow warming time between treatments.

Allow the injured area to warm up for at least 45 minutes to 2 hours before beginning the routine of icing the injury again. Keeping a "barrier" between the ice pack and the skin helps keep the skin from becoming too cold and effecting blood circulation.Continue to ice the injury as long as the area is still warm to the touch, not bitter cold and has normal sensation before continuing the treatment.

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