This is one of the most common modalities we use for pain management or relaxation.
Why Ice packs?
Ice packs reduce pain, swelling, inflammation, muscle spasm, and cramping. It also has the ability to improve blood circulation and relaxation, ie, ice packs improve the alternative periods of Vasoconstriction and vasodilation called as Lewis Hunting reaction, in which during the vasodilation, there is increased blood flow through the capillaries and thus cold packs become beneficial in the treatment for swelling and tissue damage. Ice packs are also used as an immediate recovery method in sports field, ie in cases of sports injuries like joint displacements, bone injury or muscular soreness.
Ice packs can be given in different methods like using
- towel
- ice cubes
- ice baths
- cooling gel packs
- cold air
- sprays.
Method of treatment with Ice packs depends on the type of disease and the type of application.
Ice packs must be avoided in cases like
- cardiac conditions
- peripheral nerve injuries
- vasospastic disease
- peripheral vascular disease
- cold sensitivity conditions.