Benefits of Ice Packs for Sprains or Strains of Muscles

Posted by Jackson Logan on November 28th, 2019

Falling and getting injured is a part and parcel of every person’s life, irrespective of their age and gender. Most of the injuries result in swelling or soreness of the body part, which can be effectively dealt with, by using an ice pack. The cold ice pack helps in reducing the inflammation and prevents the swelling from aggravating further. Injuries, if left unattended, can result in causing severe damages to the nearby tissues of the injured body part.

Considered as one of the most effective and popular treatment methods, ice packs help in easing pain and swelling occurred due to injuries. Ice packs are available in varied types like gels which turn into ice when stored in a deep freezer. One can also make his own ice pack by wrapping few cubes of ice in a towel and applying it on the affected part of body.

Wrist ice pack are mostly used in cases of sprained or twisted wrists apart from insect bites or bruises. Injuries like tendinitis are known to respond well when it treated with ice pack. Cold therapies offered by ice packs are known to cure health issues like arthritis, whiplash and muscle spasms.

Swelling of any injury takes place due to fluid leakage from blood vessels. Ice pack, by causing the blood vessels to constrict, reduces their tendency to ooze and thereby preventing further swelling. Also, ice packs can ease muscle spasms and inflammations which are known as common sources of pain.

One has to apply ice pack on the sprained or strained part of the body no sooner the injury occurs. Sooner the ice pack is applied, lesser the pain or swelling will occur. As far as applying ice pack for muscle spasms or back pain, one should do it as soon as symptoms of pain or uneasiness start to show up. You even get Ice packs for pregnant women which provide complete ease.

According to thumb rule, applying ice over the injured part should be done for a period of 24 to 72 hours. Ice packs should be applied over the affected parts for up to 20 minutes every three to four hours. One should remove the ice pack as soon as feeling of numbness seeps in.

However, there are certain precautions which one needs to take while applying ice packs. Direct contact of ice for a prolonged period of time on the skin can result in damaging the nerves and skin. People with health issues like diabetes, blood circulation problems and blood vessel disorders, should first consult their family physicians, prior to using ice packs.