| Early 2008, I got off the couch and decided to run the | | | | results. |
| 2008 New York City Marathon. This past year I got | | | | A basic plastic bag with ice works just fine, but they |
| my wife, a couple family members and a couple of | | | | sometimes leak, hard to mold into shape, and can only |
| friends to also run the marathon. One thing in common | | | | be used once. With reusable ice packs, they are leak |
| for all of us was that we all used some ice packs or | | | | free, forms around your joints, and when you are done |
| cold packs to reduce any swelling in our joints. | | | | they can be put back into the freezer to be used for |
| Ice packs reduce inflammation by constricting the | | | | the next session. |
| blood vessels around the injured joint or limb. Cold also | | | | In case of an emergency or there is not a refrigerator |
| creates a numbness so that the feeling of pain is | | | | freezer in sight, an instant cold pack will help. This bag |
| reduced. At this time, your muscles are able to be | | | | contains ammonium nitrate and an inner pouch of |
| relaxed and tension around the joint or muscle can be | | | | water. When the pouch is broken the water mixes |
| released. | | | | with ammonium nitrate and chemical reactions. The |
| This is why as soon as one of my children, fall down, | | | | ammonium nitrate absorbs a lot of heat when it |
| bump their head, have a bloody nose, or take an | | | | dissolves in water making the pack as cold as ice. It |
| accidental elbow from on of their siblings. The first thing | | | | provides great temporary relief! |
| we apply to the wounded area is a cold pack to | | | | Reusable cold packs are usually made of some kind |
| reduce the swelling. | | | | of hydro gel similar to the one used in diapers. This gel |
| My doctor recommends the use of ice packs for 15 | | | | is sealed inside a plastic or rubberized bag. After being |
| minutes then wait an hour for the next ice treatment. | | | | placed in a freezer, the gel inside the package retains it |
| Also direct contact of an ice pack may cause | | | | cold temperature longer than ice. |
| frostbite, which happened to my wife then she fell | | | | Yes you can use a bag of frozen vegetables. Just |
| asleep with the ice pack on her knees. So wrap the | | | | remember that it should be dinner not to be treating |
| pack with a towel! Always talk to your doctor when | | | | your wounds. Anyway, my joints and kids are very |
| doing any kind of exercise and therapy for the best | | | | thankful for cold packs! |