How many days should I ice an injury?

Rules to Remember: If an injury has occurred to any body part within three days, ice is preferred — 20 minutes on and 30 to 40 minutes off. Pain to the back, neck and large muscle groups like quads, hamstrings and calves will respond well to heat after three days of injury.

How long should I ice a strained muscle?

How long to use ice

  1. Two to 3 times per day (minimum); up to once per hour.
  2. Duration varies with technique; usually 20 to 30 minutes per session. (See “Options for applying ice.”)
  3. Ice may continue to be useful in treatment as long as there is pain, swelling, inflammation, or spasm.

How often should you ice injured back?

Cold therapy should be applied for no more than 20 minutes at a time, but it can safely be applied up to 10 times in a 24-hour period.

Is it too late to ice an injury?

Use ice for inflammation within the first 24 hours. Ice is best as soon after the injury as possible, but never during the activity. Personal preference. After 24 hours, using heat or cold therapy can be determined according to your preference.

Is ice therapy good for back pain?

Acute back injury: Ice for back pain can be an effective pain reliever if you are experiencing an acute injury. For example, maybe you strained the muscles of your lower back by lifting something too heavy. The cold from the ice can help to reduce inflammation in the affected area.

What happens if you ice too long?

Ice crystals form in the skin cells and blood flow slows, depriving the tissues of oxygen. As it progresses, the ice burn causes permanent damage to your skin and underlying tissues. In severe cases, it can lead to gangrene (tissue death) and amputation.

How many times a day can you ice an injury?

You can ice an injury a few times a day, but avoid keeping the ice on for more than 10 minutes at once. When the injury feels numb, remove the ice. Ice can help your injury feel better, but it may not be necessary for healing. Follow your doctor’s advice and be careful with your injury.

How long is ice therapy?

Applying cold therapy Use cold therapy for short periods of time, several times a day. Ten to 15 minutes is fine, and no more than 20 minutes of cold therapy should be used at a time to prevent nerve, tissue, and skin damage. You can elevate the affected area for best results.

Does ice speed up healing?

Although cold therapy typically slows the soft tissue swelling to some extent, it does not hasten the recovery process.