Ice, Ice.......Maybe? Part 1
- Jun 21, 2017
- 2 min read
Over the last year, Iceland has become one of my top desired travel destinations! I bet the intense cold just makes you feel alive! The Land of Fire and Ice inspired me to discuss the confusing topic: Ice vs. Heat!
Let's dive in.....
"Ice.....when do I use it?"
To clearly answer this tricky question, let's break it down to my 3 I's of Ice! Inflammation, Intuition, and Indications! Remember, always research for yourself and listen to your body!
Inflammation: Understanding basic signs of inflammation will help you discern which treatment to use. The signs are pain, heat, redness, swelling, and sometimes loss of function because of limited movement. If the inflammatory process isn't completely successful and the injured structure never satisfactorily heals, then chronic inflammation can occur. While inflammation itself subsides, pain and limitation may continue.
A Helpful Clue: Words with the suffix -osis means "state of disease"........tendinosis, arthrosis, spondylosis.....but if the suffix is or changes to -itis, it refers to inflammation........tendinitis, arthritis, spondylitis.
Intuition: When questioning treatment for an issue, ask yourself......"Do I think the area is swollen or inflamed?" If any of the basic signs of inflammation are noticed, heat will probably make the pain or condition worse by increasing blood flow to the affected area.
Indications: Here are several instances when ice can be an appropriate treatment:
After a sudden injury, ice is indicated as part of the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) acronym. Controversies involving this recommendation will be discussed next time.
Overuse of the muscles, such as exercising or intense activity, warrants ice in my opinion. In these circumstances, the muscle fibers can minutely tear and cause an inflammatory response.
After massage, ice can be indicated for conditions such as plantar fasciitis after a local foot massage. Massage can bring increased blood flow (in this case inadvertently) while trying to massage out knots or tension within the muscle, which could temporarily worsen pain from inflammation. Some massage therapists even use ice with massage for these types of conditions. Ask your massage therapist if you need to ice after a session if focused areas were addressed.
Maintenance of chronic conditions could indicate use of ice if basic signs of inflammation still persist in the later stages of healing.
Next time,
we'll discuss my 3 C's of Ice! Cautionary tips,
Contraindications of massage, and Controversies of RICE!
Werner, Ruth. A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins, 2009. Print.
*This is an informational blog only and shouldn't be construed as a substitute for medical examination, diagnosis, and/or treatment, and that you should see a medical physician, chiropractic doctor, or other health care specialist to address concerns that are outside the massage therapist's scope of practice.
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