AthletePlus - Springdale, Arkansas - Athlete Plus - Physical Therapy - Sports Training - Athlete Plus - Speed Training - AthletesPlus - Core Training
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AthletePlus - Springdale, Arkansas - Athlete Plus - Physical Therapy - Sports Training - Athlete Plus - Speed Training - AthletesPlus - Core Training |
Phone: 479-751-THER (8437) |
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| When is Ice Not Cool? Some people should never use ice due to possible health problems.  Ice can be harmful to some individuals with certain medical conditions. See the table below. There may be exceptions where your doctor or therapist will allow a
minimum amount of ice, but consult your own doctor. When Not to Use Ice? Although ice is recommended for acute injuries, caution should be taken for some individuals. Certain conditions such as diabetes should not be treated with cold therapy because of the decrease in blood flow already present.1 In addition, body areas such as elbow, knee, and ankle have less body fat may need less time with ice. Also, older patients typically have less fatty tissue and do not tolerate ice for long periods. People with problems in the blood vessels near the skin should avoid cold therapy, especially those with Raynaud's phenomenon (a condition in which the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose constrict dramatically when exposed to cold and other stimuli).2-4 If you suspect you may be at risk because of diabetes or another condition that can diminish blood flow, check with your doctor before applying cold to an injury. Do Not Use Ice If You Have Any of the Following: Buerger's Disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, diabetes mellitis, peripheral vascular disease, unresponsive patient, anesthetized extremity, cold hemagglutination, cryoglobulinemia, pheochromocytoma, and a true cold allergy.1 Related Articles Should I Use Ice or Heat? How Long Do I Ice? Should I Use a Bag of Ice or Buy a Gel Pack? Can Applying Heat to an Injury be Harmful? REFERENCES 1. McDowell JH, McFarland EG, Nalli BJ. Use of cryotherapy for orthopedic patients. Orthop Nurs 13:21-30, 1994. 2. Mac Auley DC. Ice therapy: how good is the evidence? [In Process Citation]. Int J Sports Med (Germany), Jul 2001, 22(5) p379-84. 3. Bryan Stamford, PhD. Giving Injuries the Cold Treatment. THE PHYSICIAN AND SPORTS MEDICINE - VOL 24 - NO. 3 - MARCH 96 4. Thorsson O. Cold therapy of athletic injuries. [Current literature review]. Lakartidningen (Sweden), Mar 28 2001, 98(13) p1512-3. This article is provided for information and entertainment purposes only. The content is provided "as is" for general information and to educate the reader. The article is not intended to serve as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The content should not be considered complete and should not be relied on to suggest a course of treatment for a particular individual suffering from a particular problem, issue or medical need. The reader should always consult with a qualified health care provider familiar with the reader's general health, background and conditions and follow the advice given by the health care provider. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before starting a new diet, treatment or fitness program. Do not delay seeking specific advice or care or disregard the advice of your health care provider based on information contained in this article. Article Date: July 2007 |
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