Rules for ice – active and prevention

For an acute injury or pain:

1. Ice first! Ice is anti-inflammatory, the first priority of pain treatment. Heat may increase inflammation and therefore pain.
2. Ice for 15-20 minutes at a time, more is not better.
3. Never put ice on bare skin.
4. Consult me for proper placement. For example, with a sciatica, ice the lower back, not the leg, for the lower back is the source of the inflammation.

For prevention: something professional athletes do regularly.

1. Celebrate not having pain!
2. Ice the stressed area for 15 minutes at least once a day. This can be done while working, sitting watching tv, etc.