Ice Compress Not Really Good Relieve Muscle Injury

News Health Articles - Ice Compress Not Really Good Relieve Muscle Injury. When a lot of people who were in pain because of injury will compress with ice on a sore muscle areas. But the new study results show ice compress is not entirely good for muscle pain as we have believed all along.

The results of these studies have been published in the journal Sports Medicine.

Ice compress to relieve sore muscles, is a practice that is often used in the sport. Ice is included in standard first aid protocol for handling sports-related injuries.

Ice pack is also widely used to treat muscle pain does not hurt. But a review in 2004 stated that, the overall effect of an ice pack on muscle pain has not been fully explained. So that still required further study.

In a study conducted last year, small-scale trial found no benefit at random on an ice pack for sore muscles. The muscles are cooled will not recover more quickly or less pain than those not compressed.

Ice pack may be more indicative of a placebo effect on its use for sore muscles. In the majority of the studies ever conducted, ice packs quite effective in its use for pain numbness.

Apply ice to significantly reduce muscle strength and power up to 15 minutes after the compression has ended. Ice pack is also likely to reduce fine motor coordination.

Normally would have decreased physical activity and strength, like not being able to jump higher, run faster, throw, or hit the ball well after 20 minutes of compression.

"The current evidence suggests that, the performance of athletes may be affected if they immediately return to activity immediately after compression," the researchers said as quoted by TheNewYorkTimes, Thursday (January 5,2012).

"Why does an ice pack before exercise can reduce the performance is not fully understood. The most likely reason is that ice can reduce nerve conduction velocity. Nerve impulses in the muscles can be slowed by cooling. Cooling may also affect the mechanical properties of the muscle tendon unit, which means that the muscle -muscles and tendons, do not work well together, "said Chris M. Bleakley, a research associate at the University of Ulster.

There is also the possibility that a cold compress on the painful muscles may increase the risk of injury, although the study did not examine the issue directly. Risk can actually occur in situations where athletes get back into the game or exercise after a cold compress, "said Dr. Bleakley.

It can mean an ice pack on muscle pain does not matter as long as it did not immediately return to the practice or game activities.

"Most previous studies have found little benefit from an ice pack after exercise, but also some side effects. And if we should continue the activity, the negative effects of ice usually disappears within about 15 minutes. Side effects are also not too bad if the time compression be shortened. Application of approximately 3-5 minutes is enough to minimize side effects, "said Dr. Bleakley.

The results showed that compresses an inexpensive method and remains an excellent method for pain due to numbness. Ice remains acceptable for treatment of acute injury and is very popular with many athletes to help them to recover after exercise.

But relying on an ice compress to immediately return to the practice or game after the injury is not recommended.