Why does ice help swelling

Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. First Aid. Should you use ice or heat to treat an injury? Rub the ice cube over the affected area until it melts completely.

Soak a thin washcloth in cold water. Wring it out and place over the affected area. Place a bag of frozen vegetables or bagged ice on top. If you want, use an Ace wrap to hold it in place.

For hands or feet, soak in a bucket or bowl of icy water for minutes. Use an electric heating pad. Apply for no more than 30 minutes. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Why does ice reduce swelling? Ask Question. Asked 7 years, 11 months ago.

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Canteen calories: prompting healthier choices. TEA Laser - How lasers work. Pause Play Stop Stream. Unmute Mute. Heat boosts the flow of blood and nutrients to an area of the body. It often works best for morning stiffness or to warm up muscles before activity. Cold slows blood flow, reducing swelling and pain. Applying cold immediately after an injury helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow to the area and slowing down cellular metabolism.

You can use ice packs, cold therapy systems, ice baths, or cryotherapy chambers to deliver cold to the affected area. Greater than 20 minutes of icing can cause reactive vasodilation, or widening, of the vessels as the body tries to make sure the tissues get the blood supply they need.

Studies have also shown 30 to 40 minutes in between icing sessions are needed to counter this reaction. Icing an injury typically takes place immediately after the injury occurs. Using a cold compress or ice pack on a strained muscle can decrease inflammation and numb pain in the area.