I.C.E. DOWN Ice Wraps

The majority of neck pain will resolve itself with a little rest and self-care at home. However, some neck injuries require more, and too much rest can lead to chronic neck pain. Surgery is rarely necessary for neck pain if exercise can be used instead. I.C.E. DOWN ice wraps can be used to treat acute and chronic neck pain.

Neck Pain Emergency

Most neck pain is not dangerous or a medical emergency, but when in doubt you should seek immediate medical attention. Signs that your neck pain could be a medical emergency include:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Numbness or weakness in the arms or hands
• Inability to touch your chin to your chest
• Shooting pain into the shoulder or arm

Rest and Ice for Neck Pain

Immediately after injury or the onset of neck pain, icing and resting your neck can relieve the pain and help you heal. Icing your neck will reduce the inflammation and swelling and prevent further tissue damage. The ice numbs the area, relieving pain. It slows down the nerve activity to stop muscle spasms and reduce the pain signals sent to the brain.

Resting your neck by lying down can give you relief from the constant strain on your neck caused by simply holding your head up. However, too much rest can add to neck stiffness, and prolonged inactivity will lead to muscle weakness ultimately causing more pain and increasing your risk of re-injury.

Neck Brace

Your doctor may recommend wearing a neck brace for a short amount of time while your neck heals. It is very difficult to limit the mobility of your neck, and rest your neck, completely on your own without the aid of a brace.

Traction

Your doctor or physical therapist may use traction to stretch your neck. This can help relax the muscles and release pinched nerves. Traction is not appropriate for all neck conditions and must be tailored to your individual needs.

Exercise

Exercise is ultimately the best treatment for most chronic neck pain and to prevent future neck pain after an injury. An exercise program designed by your physical therapist can strengthen your neck, restore proper function, and give you long-term relief from neck pain.

In most cases, exercise can eliminate the need for surgery.

Medications

Oral pain killers and local injections are both used to treat neck pain. In addition to the side effects that medications can cause, the problem with medication for neck pain is that it does not treat the underlying problem, so it only provides temporary relief.

To learn more about I.C.E. DOWN for neck pain, or to place an order, please visit our online store today.