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Old 01-10-2012, 08:25 AM   #32
kjc
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
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My doc recommended ice for a disk issue I have with my back, for months I never did it bc I thought no way, I wouldn't be able to tolerate the cold. One day I woke up in so much pain, I was willing to try anything. I had a gel pack in the fridge and grabbed it, put it on my back. I was really surprised... the pain and inflammation was gone in about 30 minutes (10 min on, 5 off for 30 minutes), and I felt good as new!

The gel pac doesn't feel quite as cold going on as an ice pack, and the comfort it brought really shocked me. At first I used a thin towel between my skin and the pac, but since I found that it's really not necessary.

I think after the initial insult, the general rule is to ice for the first 24 hours, then one can go to heat, if that feels better, or one can alternate using heat and ice. Heat increases blood flow to the area (promotes healing) and relaxes muscles, and ice reduces inflammation, thereby reducing pain.

I hope Lucy is feeling better and wishing her the best on her bloodwork.... Hugs,
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