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E-Book

Cold Therapy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

When to Use Cold Therapy

How to Apply Cold Therapy

Cold Therapy Products & Tips

Introduction

1 Cold Therapy Mechanism

2

3

4

2

Introduction

Cold Therapy

Cold Therapy also referred to as cold compression therapy is one of the oldest methods

of pain control. The cold therapy utilizes ice and compression for injury care and pain

management which are two of the principles of R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression,

Elevation). Cold therapy is typically recommended by orthopedic surgeons after surgery.

Applying ice or a cold compress slows down blood flow to an injured area thereby

reducing swelling or inflammation. Cold therapy is an easy self care technique that is

proved to be safe and effective at reducing swelling, relieving pain and decreasing

muscle spasms. Often people who use cold therapy require much less pain relief

medication. The method of application varies, but the most commonly used products

include cold packs and continuous cold therapy machines which conform to the injured

area. Cold therapy is usually recommended as soon as possible after an injury has

occurred, it is most effective when used within 72 hours post injury. Most doctors

recommend 20 minutes of cold therapy followed by 20 to 60 minutes off. It should be

used if the area is inflamed or swollen.

3

Cold Therapy

Mechanism

CHAPTER ONE

4

Cold Therapy Mechanism

Cold Therapy

After an injury, the blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues are

damaged. Cold therapy first seeks to lower the temperature of the injured tissues

following an injury by constricting the blood vessels and slowing the leakage of fluids

into the tissues. Applying cold therapy also reduces the rate of cell damage and

decreases fluid build-up. Ice can also numb nerve endings, which helps to block pain

receptors in the brain. While cold permeates tissues and constricts blood vessels,

compression (in the form of a brace, wrap, or support) constricts through external

pressure. This controls swelling by inhibiting the flow and accumulation of fluids into

the tissues. It is important to note that the swelling is a natural stage in the healing

process. The goal is to not completely stop swelling, but rather to control the

degree of the swelling to make recovery comfortable.

Cold compression therapy amplifies the skin's contact with the cold surface, so less

of it is wasted in dissipation and instead permeates the tissues more efficiently. The

cold compression therapy helps to evenly distribute the cold, and helps the tissues

to temporarily retain a colder temperature even after the application is removed.

Cold or ice should never be applied directly to the skin. A barrier, such as a towel or

compression wrap should be placed between the cold pack and the skin's surface to

prevent skin and nerve damage.

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When to Use Cold

Therapy

CHAPTER TWO

6

When to Use Cold Therapy

Cold Therapy

Unlike heat therapy which promotes blood flow, cold therapy restricts blood flow

and reduces inflammation and swelling. Cold therapy is used for acute (sudden)

injuries where swelling is present. Cold therapy is a vasoconstrictor and is used

right after an injury occurs and can continue for up to 48 hours. Much like heat

therapy, cold therapy should only be applied for 10-20 minutes at a time. It can be

removed for 10 minutes and then reapplied again. The most common source for

cold therapy is ice or gel packs and should not be applied directly to the skin, but

wrapped in a thin towel. Always consult your physician prior to using any therapy

product.

Conditions and injuries which may benefit from cold therapy include:

Acute injuries

Sprains and strains

Soft tissue injury and bruising

Fractures and dislocation

Tendinitis

Bursitis

Swelling (edema)

Insect bites

Contusions

Dislocation

Subluxations

Arthritis

Migraines & headaches

Hemotoma (acute)

Post-surgery pain relief

Myofascial disorders (muscle spasm, muscle tension, muscle soreness) 7

When to Use Cold Therapy

Cold Therapy

Why not use heat for my injury?

Heat is helpful in chronic conditions rather than acute injuries. The goal in treating

acute injuries is to slow metabolic activity in the injured tissues by constricting

blood vessels. However, heat therapy expands blood vessels, increasing circulation

to damaged areas. Therefore, heat therapy is not suitable for acute injuries that

present symptoms of inflammation including heat, redness, and swelling. Heat is

generally used to help relax muscles before exercise, while cold therapy may be

used to help relieve pain after exercise.

Why not to use a ice bag or bag of frozen peas to apply cold therapy?

These methods can work in theory and can be used in emergency situations.

However they're messy and they freeze hard and crunchy, which does not allow

close contact with the skin which results in poor heat transfer and uncomfortable

therapy and may cause frostbite making the injury worse. Reusable cold packs are

environment friendly and they also provide the necessary compression for

consistent pain relief. Keep cold therapy packs in your freezer for an emergency.

8

How to Apply Cold

Therapy

CHAPTER THREE

9

How to Apply Cold Therapy

Cold Therapy • Apply the cold therapy immediately following the injury (you can even opt for a

traditional cold pack or ice pack without the added compression).

• Apply the principles of R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).

• Always maintain a barrier of fabric between the skin and the cold pack to prevent

damage to skin and nerves. Always use a cloth or a Polar Soft Ice Compression

Therapy Wrap between the pack and the skin.

• Always apply ice in a safe and controlled manner. Applying ice for too long can

cause problems and delay the healing process.

• Never apply ice if you feel numb or lose sensation.

• Apply cold compression for ten to twenty minutes per session with at least 45

minutes between each application. Your skin should feel warm on touching before

re-application of cold therapy.

• Apply cold therapy only on the injured area and not to the surrounding area

(above or below) the injury. Blood flow diverts away from the cold therapy area

and could pool in the injured area.

• Cold therapy should not be used on people who suffer from circulatory problems,

are unconscious, who cannot feel or respond to cold (e.g. in paralysis) or on

people who develop skin reactions when exposed to cold.

• Never lie down on your cold compression pack or gel/ice pack.

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Cold Therapy Products

& Tips

CHAPTER FOUR

11

Cold Therapy Products & Tips

Cold Therapy

When choosing a cold compression therapy product, avoid one-type-fits-all wrap.

Instead, choose lightweight, easy-to-use cold therapy wraps that are specially

designed to fit more than one part of the body, such as the ankle, knee, or wrist, and

are a versatile choice. You can look for self-adhering wraps or sleeves with reusable

cold pack inserts which are usually gel-filled. These types of products conform to the

body efficiently and fit securely. They offer a convenient hands-free alternative to

traditional ice packs or a bag of frozen peas.

Other than ice wraps and packs, you can also choose a continuous cold therapy device

such as Pain Management Arctic Ice Cold Water Therapy Device System to help reduce

pain and swelling and facilitates rehabilitation. Continuous cooling devices (also

sometimes called ice machines) maintains a constant and precise temperature

modality. It provides cold therapy through the constant circulation of ice cold water

through a pad. Such systems can provide up to 7 hours of continuous cryotherapy for

a variety of indications.

It is also important to consider ease of use and portability of cold therapy systems.

Polar Products and Breg Incorporated offer top selling products in cold therapy

category.

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Cold Therapy Products & Tips

Cold Therapy Cold therapy has been proved to help reduce pain from migraines and headaches.

Acu-Life Therapod Thermal Relief Moist Heat and Cold Therapy Pad and Polar Active

Ice Head Cap Cold Therapy System can be used for relief from migraines and

headaches.

Cold therapy can be used for athletes with chronic pain or an overuse injury. An

athlete who experiences knee pain that increases after running may want to ice their

knee after each run to reduce pain and swelling. The Acu-Life Theropod Thermal

Relief Moist Heat and Cold Therapy Pad demonstrates how cold and heat therapies

are used together. It provides relief from sore muscles and joints while the cold

compress therapy reduces swelling and inflammation. The Battle Creek Ice It

ColdComfort Cold Therapy System is available for the knee, shoulder, the ankle, the

elbow, and the foot. Bodymed also offers cold therapy systems designed for specific

body parts such as the Cold Compression Therapy Wrap for the ankle, back, knee, and

shoulder. They combine the benefits of both cold therapy with the added advantage

of compression therapy through the use of a simple pump. Some body parts, such as

the ankle, can be difficult to ice because of their shape. The Mueller Gel-Brace Cold

Therapy Ankle Stirrup solves this problem. It brings cold therapy treatment to injured

ankles by creating a custom fit for the ankle. One system that can provide cold

therapy relief to different body parts is the Polar Active Ice Cold Therapy System. It

delivers localized cold therapy by circulating cold water to the desired body part such

as your knee, shoulders, or back. The benefits of cold therapy are indisputable, so

make sure you ice those injuries before applying any heat therapy.

13

“Freedom (n.): To ask nothing. To expect

nothing. To depend on nothing.”

Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead “ 14

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