Is cold compression therapy actually effective?
February 23, 2013 2:59 PM   Subscribe

I'm curious how strong the empirical evidence in support of cold compression therapy for acute injuries truly is.

Cold compression therapy is commonly prescribed for acute injuries such as sprains, pulled muscles, etc. I know that icing will reduce inflammation and pain. What I'm wondering is whether there's strong empirical evidence to show that a strain that is iced will heal faster than a strain that isn't.

How much of icing is just treating the symptoms of the injury rather than the injury itself? Isn't there the chance that by reducing these symptoms that the injury can be aggravated further because the negative feedback mechanisms (pain/swelling) aren't available?
posted by prunes to Health & Fitness (3 answers total) 7 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: This 2008 review of the literature found that "There is insufficient evidence to suggest that cryotherapy improves clinical outcome in the management of soft tissue injuries".
posted by jacalata at 3:56 PM on February 23, 2013 [1 favorite]




Best answer: It seems like there is (admittedly limited and relatively weak) evidence that icing improves outcomes, and I think there is no evidence for your negative feedback mechanisms scenario.

Swelling and inflammation aren't just symptoms, they themselves can cause additional tissue damage. So while I'm sympathetic to the idea that you don't want to just treat the symptom, in this case ice is intended not just to reduce symptoms, but to reduce further harm. Whether it is especially effective for that purpose - well - I don't think there is super robust evidence either way.

BTW, pain itself isn't only a symptom. Pain has been shown to extend recovery times. In part, there is good evidence that soft tissue injuries heal faster with earlier mobilization (movement/use), which is more possible with good pain management/reduction, but also, the feeling of pain induces physiological responses which can impede healing. So don't dismiss pain reduction - it's therapeutic.
posted by latkes at 12:21 AM on February 24, 2013 [3 favorites]


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