What does Ice do when a player is injured or hurt? I know it helps them somewhat!
Question: I know that a lot of coaches recommend putting ice on an injured spots.
But when my knee was hurting, the ice only kind of made the spot all cold enough for me to not feel anything, but when the cold was gone the pain came back. So what's exactly the point of ice?
Is it instant and temporary relief?
Answers: I know that a lot of coaches recommend putting ice on an injured spots.
But when my knee was hurting, the ice only kind of made the spot all cold enough for me to not feel anything, but when the cold was gone the pain came back. So what's exactly the point of ice?
Is it instant and temporary relief?
Ice shrinks the tissues and the blood vessels so that less fluid runs into the injured tissues. Less fluid in means less fluid leaking out ; which is what causes swelling and bleeding. Swelling increases pain as the swollen tissues press on nerve endings. Also, less tissue swelling & blood flow inhibits the release of the inflammatory cascade--a very complex set of proteins etc (like interleukins and tissue necrosis factor) that also lead to more warmth, tenderness, swelling, and bleeding. So even if you don't get as much pain relief as you'd like, the cold is still inhibiting all the other things going on.
Cold helps cut down on swelling by shrinking the blood vessels. This reduces bleeding and therefore swelling in the affected area. Cold also helps keep the muscles from spasming (contracting uncontrollably) and relieves pain. But too much cold can damage the skin, which is why you should apply ice for a while, take a break, then apply it again.
Ice helps keep the swelling down.
Ice slows the histamine reaction, and constricts the blood vessels. This will slow swelling and bruising respectively.
Not long ago the correct treatment was ice for 20 min. followed by heat for 20 min. then ice again.
In physical therapy they heat the muscle, work it, then ice it to reduce swelling.
Heat makes it feel good but the ice is what helps it recover.
Ice helps to keep the swelling down.