Cold Therapy-
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Transcript of Cold Therapy-
- A PUBLICATION OF HealthProductsForYou.com-
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.
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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.
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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
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