The first line of treatment for sprains is RICE – rest, ice, compression, and elevation. After a couple of days you will need to start using the affected area to prevent muscle atrophy, build up strength, and restore your range of motion. I.C.E. DOWN ice wraps deliver your ice and compression in one convenient package, and can be worn while performing cryokinetic exercise.

What is a Sprain?

A sprain is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments connect bone to bone. When a ligament is stretched beyond its capacity it causes pain and bruising. The ligament may be torn or just over-stretched. Either way, a sprain is painful and needs immediate attention.

The ankle is the most commonly sprained body part, but you can also sprain your wrist, neck, foot, thumb, back, knee, and other body parts.

First Aid for Sprains

A sprain should be immobilized and protected from further injury. Apply your ice wrap right away. Icing the injury will stop or slow down the natural process that causes more damage to the affected area.

Icing slows bleeding in the area and helps prevent inflammation, swelling, and bruising. In order to be effective, your ice must completely cover the injury and it must stay cold enough for long enough to cool the deep tissues.

Of course, icing also relieves the pain. It stimulates the release of endorphins decreases the transmission of pain signals to the brain. The sooner you ice your sprain, the better off you will be.

Compression minimizes the buildup of fluid, and is an important part of first aid for sprains. Compression must be even, all the way around the injury.

I.C.E. DOWN ice wraps accomplish both the icing and compression. The gel stays flexible when frozen, so it conforms to your body. The I.C.E. DOWN neoprene wrap is provides even compression.

Elevating the sprain above the level of your heart helps fluids drain away from the injury.

Healing After a Sprain

You should rest a sprain for two days, but after that it is important to get it moving. Stiffness and muscle atrophy can set in quickly, delaying healing of the sprain and putting you at greater risk for re-injury. Your doctor or physical therapist will normally have you start out with range of motion exercises, then move up to strength-building exercises. Building up the muscles around the sprained area can help prevent future sprains.

Non-compliance is a serious problem for people with sprains. Pain is one of the obstacles to performing the necessary exercises. In cryokinetics, the sprained area is iced, minimizing the pain and discomfort while you perform your exercises. Adequately icing down the sprained area can be challenging and inconvenient. I.C.E. DOWN ice wraps make it easy. The wraps are designed to fit specific body parts. You can wear your ice wrap while you perform your exercises.

To learn more about cold therapy and how I.C.E. DOWN can help you, or to place an order, please contact us today.