For Women: Why Ice Is Nice
By Louise Roach
Ice therapy is a women’s best friend. Really! I’m not kidding.
When it comes to alternative medicine, using ice is an easy,
drug-free and inexpensive therapy right out of your freezer. The
simple technique of ‘icing’ is used to lessen pain and decrease
inflammation, but it has many more uses, particularly for women.
Injury treatment - For sports and overuse injuries. R.I.C.E.
therapy (rest-ice-compression-elevation) is the recommended
method to treat muscle and joint pain, strains and sprains. Many
athletes also use ice therapy as preventative treatment after a
workout. Did you know that women’s risk of developing ACL
injuries is four times greater then men? Always have ice therapy
on hand after a marathon or off the slopes, in case your anterior
cruciated ligament decides now’s the time to act up.
Comfort back pain – Forty-one percent, or 10 million women a
year, suffer from back pain. The major causes for women’s back
pain are housework and gardening. Cool lower back pain with ice
therapy. It’s an easy, immediate relief for nagging pain after
you’ve been pulling weeds or lugging groceries.
Ease migraine headache pain – Every woman experiences migraines
at some point in their life. It might be part of your monthly
cycle or a symptom of menopause. Ice therapy is a proven remedy
for migraine relief. Lie down for five to ten minutes and place
an ice pack behind your neck, on your forehead or temples. Ice
naturally reduces inflammation and numbs pain, decreasing the
effect of migraines and easing you into relief without the use of
drugs.
Chill hot flashes and night sweats – 80% of women will experience
body heat fluctuations during menopause. Nothing chills a hot
flash like an ice pack! Keep a chilled pack in an insulated tote
next to your bed at night, ready when a flush of heat wakes you
up.
Family first aid and home emergencies – If you have children or
an accident-prone husband, an ice pack in the freezer is a
necessity. Considered the first line of treatment to use for
bumps, bruises, sprains, black eyes, strains or minor burns, ice
therapy is a must for home emergencies.
Reduce swelling after surgery – Whether it’s cosmetic,
reconstructive, or joint replacement – all will result in
postoperative swelling and bruising. Ice therapy is recommend by
most doctors to decrease inflammation and bruising after surgery.
Reduce puffy eyes – Not enough sleep? Allergies? Ice therapy
relieves puffy, swollen eyes with a little TLC.
Cool minor burns and treat insect bites – Like to garden, but
hate sunburn and bugs bites? Summer sun and pesky bugs won’t get
the best of you when you use ice therapy. Wrap an ice pack in a
towel for a cold compress to gently cool sunburned skin. (But
don’t use on skin that has blistered – seek medical attention for
damaged skin.) Take the sting out of bug bites, by using an ice
massage directly on the bite for 5 to 10 minutes. It will numb
pain, relieve some of the itching, and reduce swollen bumps
caused by the bite.
Let ice be nice to you!
Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for
professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult
with your physician in the event of a serious injury.
Louise Roach is a health and fitness editor, marketing
specialist, and product development consultant. She helps others
find pain relief through the use of SnowPack Cold Therapy
products. Ms. Roach has recently developed a take-with-you ice
therapy kit for women, with a percentage of the proceeds being
donated to the Women’s Information Network Against Breast Cancer
(WIN ABC). Learn more about the benefits of cold therapy at
http://www.snowpackusa.com/
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