A Comparison of Surface and Deep Temperature Changes Using Ice and Chemical Cold Packs

Authors

Steven Allen Bernards, Brigham Young University
Dr. Kenneth Knight, Brigham Young University

Keywords

cryotherapy, cold therapy, temperature changes, chemical cold packs

College

Life Sciences

Department

Exercise Sciences

Abstract

Cryotherapy (cold therapy) is the use of ice or cold in the immediate care of acute musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains or contusions. When ice or another temperature lowering product is applied soon after an injury, pain, swelling, and secondary hypoxic injury are minimized. Secondary hypoxic injury occurs when swelling and damage to the local vascular system causes healthy cells near the damaged tissue to suffer a lack of oxygen and die (3,4). The key to reducing secondary hypoxic injury is to decrease metabolism (6), which is a function of decreased temperature (1).

Recommended Citation

Bernards, Steven Allen and Knight, Dr. Kenneth (2014) "A Comparison of Surface and Deep Temperature Changes Using Ice and Chemical Cold Packs," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 753.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/753