Ice Helps Reduce Acute Pain and Swelling.

RULES FOR USING ICE WHEN IN ACUTE PAIN

1. NEVER...NEVER...NEVER USE HEAT.
For a new injury less than 3 days old, never use heat. Anyone that has told you to put heat on a new injury has just proven themselves not to be an expert. Beware of further advice from them. If this new injury has any swelling, you will make the problem worse and last longer by using heat. Heat increases swelling and ice decreases it when used properly.

2. DO NOT TRY TO DIAGNOSE YOUR OWN CONDITION by saying, "There is no swelling I just hurt the muscles." If you are wrong (and there is no way to be sure) you will injure yourself further. Call Dr. Dan at 920-954-1002 if you have any questions.

3. THE BEST FORM OF ICE TO USE IS A SOFT "GEL PACK".
This is a plastic bag filled with jelly that remains flexible and therefore molds to the body. It is best if the gel pack is kept in the refrigerator rather than in the freezer. When applying ice, you need to get the cold deep into the tissues. Because the gel pack molds easily to the body, it will allow the cold to reach the deeper tissues.

4. ICE SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED DIRECTLY TO THE SKIN.
Have one layer of clothing between the skin and the ice pack. Some areas of the body are sensitive and may be injured by direct contact with cold.

5. APPLY ICE FOR 15 - 20 MINUTES ONLY.
After twenty minutes you have stopped the blood flow to the area and you may damage the tissue. The purpose of applying ice is to "PUMP" the swelling out, not to stop the circulation. Pumping the swelling out can best be accomplished by applying the ice 15 - 20 minutes ON and 30 minutes OFF. The more times you ice, the faster you will get better.

6. IF THE PAIN INCREASES AFTER TWO ICE APPLICATIONS, STOP THE PROCEDURE UNTIL YOUR NEXT VISIT TO THE OFFICE. Remember that pain is a warning signal indicating that something is wrong. Call Dr. Dan at 920-954-1002 if you have any questions.

**These instructions are not a replacement for seeing a doctor, they are intended to improve your overall results with care. Call Dr. Dan Thibodeau at 920-954-1002 if you have any questions.