how does ice help a bruise for example to heal?
2006-08-05 04:41:25 · 15 answers · asked by abebibobub2003 3 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
Reduces inflamation/constricts blood vessels.
2006-08-05 04:44:45 · answer #1 · answered by Britt 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ice is the best topically applied anti-inflammatory agent ever invented.
When you're injured, your body responds by going into protective mode and swelling in the area of the injury. However, sometimes the body doesn't know when to stop swelling -- that's where ice comes in. When a cold pack is applied to your skin, it acts to slow down metabolism at the injury site, so your body can begin healing itself more quickly. Ice also acts as an analgesic to slow down and block pain impulses.
Slows the inflammation and swelling that occurs after injury. Most back pain is accompanied by some type of inflammation, and addressing the inflammation also helps reduce the pain.
Helps to relieve the pain by numbing sore tissues (like a local anesthetic).
Slows the nerve impulses in the area, which interrupts the pain-spasm reaction between the nerves.
Ice should be applied soon after the injury occurs. The coldness makes the veins in the tissue contract, which reduces circulation in the area. After the cold compress is removed, the veins overcompensate and dilate. Once that happens, the blood rushes into the area and brings with it the nutrients necessary to heal the injured area.
2006-08-05 04:46:02 · answer #2 · answered by vascsono 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The cold will constrict blood vessels and help keep the bruise from spreading. Never apply ice directly to the skin. Always use an ice pack or a cold compress.
2006-08-05 04:47:02 · answer #3 · answered by Paul B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ice as such does not facilitate any healing process. Applying ice to any area of the body cools it down. This encourages the body to restrict blood flow to the area as it attempts to conserve heat. This will in turn reduce swelling, which is in essence an excess of blood flow to an area. If swelling is minimized, the sprained joint/tendon will be more flexible, making it easier and elss painful to use.
That being said, it does not actually help a strained/stressed joint or tendon heal faster as such.
2006-08-05 04:47:52 · answer #4 · answered by Ryan D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It causes the capillaries and veins to constrict therefore helping the site to heal itself quicker.
A bruise is caused by lots of little broken capillaries and icing them helps close them down. :)
Hey man, didn't I tell you about Icing your bruised nose earlier !!
2006-08-05 04:46:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
By the cold of the ice constricting the blood vessels and reducing blow flow in that area, it helps reduce swelling and discoloration
2006-08-05 04:46:05 · answer #6 · answered by Velociraptor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Briit has the right answer - ice does not heal it just helps the healing process!@
2006-08-05 04:46:19 · answer #7 · answered by nswblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it doesnt heal it just stops a bruise getting worse by consticting blood vessels and stopping further bleeding occuring
2006-08-05 04:46:28 · answer #8 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It freezes the reaction of your skin to bump, it get really hot in the hit area, so ice cools it down.
2006-08-05 04:45:09 · answer #9 · answered by Insomnia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it really doesnt heal bruises.. it only stop the bleeding under the skin..
2006-08-05 04:46:41 · answer #10 · answered by yacekiih 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋