Ice therapy, also called cryotherapy, is a popular form of pain management in sports and other high-activity professions.
In Australia, you can often see about 50 or so people plunging into ice-cold water in the park behind Sydney’s Bronte Beach every Sunday.
If you have injured yourself and other methods of treatment are not giving you enough relief, then here are some reasons why you should opt for cold therapy instead!
Benefits of Cold Therapy
Ice therapy is popular for the following reasons:
1. Reduces inflammation
The most common reason for introducing cold therapy in injury is to reduce swelling and inflammation. Even the smallest injuries cause excess swelling, pain, and discomfort.
While topical ointments and medicines reduce inflammation, cryotherapy is a better choice. This promotes faster healing compared to others.
2. Recharges the body
If you’re a gym enthusiast, ice or cold therapy is a great solution to post-workout muscle pains. Many professionals use ice packs or immerse themselves in a portable ice bath after intense workout sessions.
This soothes the muscles and prevents them from getting fatigued. If cryotherapy can be incorporated into regular workout routines, it’ll recharge you for the next session.
3. Soothes injured muscles
In sports, players often injure their muscles or joints through tearing. If it’s a minor tear/injury, ice therapy can provide relief. Cold therapy also speeds up the healing time and reduces acute pain. For example, ankle sprains can be healed just within a week if you use an ice pack.
4. Prevents tissue damage
Ice therapy prevents further damage to injured tissues by reducing the blood flow to affected areas. This not only helps to heal the injury but will also provide temporary relief until the paramedics arrive.
Remember that prompt treatment of wounded tissues can avert long-term harm, particularly in situations where you are aware that professional assistance will not be available right away.
5. Helps to recover from surgeries
While cryotherapy helps people heal from small wounds and sprains, it also heals faster after a major surgery.
In fact, many surgeons often recommend patients undergo cryotherapy sessions after a muscle or bone surgery to help speed up the healing process.
As such, cold therapy can also soothe the post-surgery ache that many patients complain of. If there’s a soft tissue trauma, cold therapy is said to be the best form of healing.
6. Affordable and convenient
Another major advantage of cryotherapy is that it’s both affordable and portable. Whether you’re a sportsperson or a workout enthusiast, when you’re touring or going to secluded places, it’ll be difficult to find a quick remedy for injuries.
This is why ice packs are a great cryotherapy solution. They cost very little and can be carried almost anywhere.
Types of cold therapy
There are different types of cold therapy, based on the materials available near you and the kind of injury you have suffered from:
1. Ice packs
Ice packs are the most common type of ice therapy available in the market. If you have to treat deep bruises, swelling, or muscle strain, then ice packs are the best form of cryotherapy.
These are small crushed cubes of ice in a plastic bag that you have to press against the wounded area. However, don’t press blue ice directly on the wound, as it can cause frostbite.
If an ice pack isn’t available, you can even use a bag of frozen peas or vegetables. There are also commercially available cryocuffs that are specially manufactured for icing.
2. Ice bath
A portable ice bath or ice pool is used to treat swelling in peripheral joints, such as ankle or wrist sprains. This is the most effective cryotherapy option.
It is a bucket or tub filled with ice and cold water. You have to immerse the injured area in this bath for about 20-30 minutes every session.
If the wound has considerably swelled up, you can use an ice bath, but never use it if it’s an open wound, such as bleeding or a skin infection.
3. Ice massage
Ice massage is a quick DIY remedy that you can make out of styrofoam cups. If there’s tendonitis of the hand or a ganglion cyst, you can go for ice massage.
All you have to do is freeze water in a paper or styrofoam cup and then take it out when the water is frozen. Take the ice cup and rub it in soft, circular motions on the affected area for about 10 minutes every session.
Conclusion
Cryotherapy is not only easy to do but it also ensures fast and effective relief to your pain solutions. You can use ice therapy along with compression, bracing, elevation of the joints, or other medication. However, make sure to consult your physician before trying it out at home.
