How does putting ice on an injury help

Heating tissues can be accomplished using a heating pad, or even a hot, wet towel. When using heat treatments, be very careful to use a moderate heat for a limited time to avoid burns. Never leave heating pads or towels on for extended periods of time or while sleeping.

If you have questions regarding the proper treatment of an injury, call the doctors or physical therapists at Southern California Orthopedic Institute today at Skip to main content.

Should You Ice or Heat an injury? Ice Treatment Ice treatment is most commonly used for acute injuries. Heat Treatment Heat treatments should be used for chronic conditions to help relax and loosen tissues and to stimulate blood flow to the area. Cold — Cold is good for an injury or inflammation where tissues are damaged. It helps relieve pain by numbing the affected area and reduces swelling, inflammation and bleeding. Cold is good for a new injury, especially in the first hours when swelling is the most intense.

Remember these five words when dealing with a sports injury: protect, rest, ice, compress and elevate. Michigan Medicine. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation RICE. Updated November 16, Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?

Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Prevent Frostbite Do not allow ice to sit directly on the skin for long periods of time.

Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. March 15, Thank you so much for clearing up the confusion I have had on icing and heat for my back.

You explained this so clearly!! December 23, Interesting read, thanks! August 28, Thank you so much,this is very details,I only use heat method before but now I will try the heat and ice method on my clients that has Arthritis.

April 18, Thank you for an in depth explanation. February 15, Thank you for confirming. I think I was icing too often and too long. After reading this article I got it now. December 19, My husband had a cortisone shot into his arthritic shoulder. I was puttng heat on it and did not know about icing for twenty minutes and heat for fifteen minutes, etc. Excellent article to clear up the confusion we had.

Thank you! November 27, thank you for sharing the amazing article and tips. It helps me a lot, in relieving my knee pain. This is the best and most thorough explanation I have been able to find. Thank you. October 12, Very good, clear and thorough explanation. July 13, Before Dr. Howe did my hip replacement surgery, I had used ice on that joint daily which was the right choice. Now that the hip joint pain is gone I have been noticing other minor aches and pains more and often ask the "Ice or Heat?

After reading your article I feel I will make the correct choice every time now. Thank you for explaining things so well!

Leave a Comment Name.