Cold therapy is a form of physiotherapy which involves direct application of a cold pack or immersion in ice water to the affected area for about 15 to 20 minutes. It can be applied at least two hours apart each time or as advised by healthcare professionals. For ice water immersion, the proportion of ice to water should be about 1:1.

Aims：

Cold application decreases temperature and regulates circulation of the applied area, with the effects of alleviating bruising, pain, swelling, speeding up recovery and relaxing the muscles. Therefore, it effectively relieves acute inflammation.

Indications：

Cold therapy is recommended for acute inflammation and painful conditions (redness, swelling, pain and heat in the affected area). Examples include muscle or joint strains, acute degenerative arthritis and acute gouty attacks.

Precautions：

If you have any of the following conditions, please consult your doctor or physiotherapist before applying cold therapy：

• Cardiac failure or hypertension, and applying cold therapy to a large area of the body
• Impaired skin sensation (e.g. difficulty in distinguishing between hot and cold sensation)
• Area of application is near or around the eyes, shoulders or neck
• Skin is infected or damaged

Contraindications：

Cold application is not suitable for the following conditions：

• Impaired circulation (e.g. deep vein thrombosis, peripheral vascular disease)
• Area of application is near a chronic wound or bleeding tissue
• History of cold allergy
• Difficulty in understanding instructions (e.g. individuals with dementia)

After application：

During cold therapy, the applied area should feel cold. Gradually, the overlying skin may become numb and red. This is normal and will gradually subside in about 15 minutes after applying cold therapy.

If there is persistent rash, pain, worsening of symptoms or discomfort during or after cold therapy, stop immediately and seek advice from a physiotherapist or other healthcare professionals.

Conclusion：

Cold therapy is more effective when combined with suitable care and other treatment methods, such as adequate rest, elevation of the affected area and rehabilitation exercise. If in doubt, seek advice from a physiotherapist or other healthcare professionals.