 | ICE | CONTROLLED TEMPERATURE TECHNOLOGY |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended Duration of Therapy | Ice the damaged region for 10 minutes immediately after injury, remove the ice for about 30 minutes, and then reapply it for 10 additional minutes. Repeat this cycle of about two 10-minute icings per hour as often as possible during the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury. Then, use the same technique (two 10-minute icings separated by a 30-minute break) about three to five times a day until the injury resolves itself.[1] | Wrap the injury immediately. Wear until the semi-solid formula turns back to liquid form (about 1 to 1 1/2 hours). Re-energize in refrigerator for 30-45 minutes. Sustainable and prolonged moderate temperature therapy the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury is recommended to promote and accelerate healing. Continue use until injury is resolved. |
| Additional Materials Required | Icemaker, plastic or rubber ice bags, towels, protective sheeting, timer or timepiece. | Refrigerator or ice water in a cooler. |
| Contraindications of Improper or Overuse | Blood Vessels: When body tissues are cooled, nerve cells in the chilled area initially force adjacent blood vessels to constrict, leading to a marked reduction in blood flow to that part of the body. However, if the temperature of the affected area continues to drop, nerve activity is depressed and the blood vessels begin to open up, flooding the injured tissues with blood, even though cold is still being applied. This flood-of-blood (Hunting effect) is the human body’s reflex reaction to thwart severe cold injury in a body part subjected to chilling stress. | None. |
| Lymphatic Vessels: Prolonged ice application can cause lymphatic vessels (which ordinarily help carry excess tissue fluids back into the cardiovascular system) to increase in permeability. This causes large amounts of fluid to pour from the lymphatics “the wrong way” into the injured area, increasing local swelling and pressure, potentially contributing to greater pain. If icing goes on too long, the lymphatic vessels can actually be nearly obliterated, losing all of their fluid to surrounding tissues. | None. | |
| Nerve Cells and Soft Tissue: Improper or prolonged icing can result in temporary or permanent nerve damage and frostbite injury to the skin including, in extreme cases, necrosis (death of cells in a tissue). | None. | |
| Cautionary Note: Refrigerant and Frozen Gels | Because of their potentially extreme temperatures (as low as minus 20° C ~ minus 4° F, refrigerant or frozen gels should be used with extreme caution: always place a towel between the gel and your skin.[1]
| Where to Purchase Controlled Temperature Technology Products Cooltech Marketing, Inc. The Marketplace for Controlled Temperature Technology 1-888-758-COOL (2665) |
REFERENCES
- 6th European Congress of Sports Medicine, (Budapest, Hungary, p. 179, 17-20 June, 1991).
- “The Use of Cryotherapy in Sports Injuries,” Sports Medicine, (Vol. 3, pp. 398-414, 1986).
- “Vascular Reactions of the Human Forearm to Cold,” Clinical Science, (Vol. 17, pp. 165-179, 1958).
- “Hyperemia Following Sustained Contractions at Different Temperatures,” Journal of Applied Physiology, (Vol. 137, p. 45P, 1957).
- Sports Injury Bulletin (Archive 1066-Cryotherapy).
[1] Romain Meeusen, b. 1958 Essen (Belgium). Education: MSc Phys Ed (1980), MSc Physiotherapy (1982), PhD (1996). Currently, Dr. Meeusen is the Head of the Department of Human Physiology and Sports Medicine at the Vrije Universiteit (Free University) Brussels. He is an Officer of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) and President of the Belgium Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Sciences, a member association to the European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations.