ICING AND HEATING DIRECTIONS

Proper Icing Instructions

  • Cover ice pack with a moist wet tea towel or other thin cloth. The damp will allow the cold to conduct to the tissue, and will protect the skin from cold burns.

  • Apply to area for 10-15 min. then re-apply in one hour.

  • In general ice is used to reduce swelling (anti-inflammatory response) and flush toxins by the Lewis Hunting reaction.

  • Some people may have an adverse reaction to icing due to a circulatory problem. Please ask your medical doctor or us, if this applies to you. 
Proper Heating Instructions
  • Never use dry superficial heating modalities, such as electric heating blankets. Most are of little therapeutics value.

  • Hot water bottles, rice or kernel packs available at many drug stores, or moist warm towels are of most benefit.

  • Moist heat can be applied between and after icing.

  • Moist heat has pain-reducing qualities (analgesic effect)

Ice is a great tool to help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. Despite the conventional wisdom that ice is to be used in the first 24-48 hours after an injury, it may be used for a longer period if an ongoing inflammatory process is taking place. For example, if your knee aches after playing soccer, or your ankle bothers you after learning and practicing a new dance routine, then you may want to consider icing after each time you do the aggravating activity. A good example of using ice to help manage irritation and inflammation from a specific activity is how professional baseball pitchers ice their shoulders and elbows after every game or practice. Ice can help speed recovery by slowing inflammatory activity, reducing swelling and promoting circulation. The cold may also help numb the traumatized nerve endings and decrease pain.

If you have a condition ending in “-itis”, meaning inflammation, or your doctor has recommended that you take anti-inflammatory medications, such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve and Naprosyn), or a prescription anti-inflammatory like Celebrex, Vioxx, or Bextra as examples, then you might also benefit from icing to help control inflammation in a joint or tendon. Ask your medical doctor or us if they're us any reason you should not use ice on the affected area.

If you have ever had an adverse reaction to icing, have a circulatory problem, or if you are simply unsure, you should consult your physician, physical therapist, or healthcare provider before beginning. Please read the instructions in their entirety before using ice on yourself

 
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