For Women: Why Ice Is Nice

Ice therapy is a women's best friend. Really! I'm not kidding.
When it comes to alternative medicine, using ice is an easy, drug-
free and inexpensive therapy right out of your freezer. The simple
technique of `icing' is used to lessen pain and decrease
inflammation, but it has many more uses, particularly for women.

Injury treatment -- For sports and overuse injuries. R.I.C.E. therapy
(rest-ice-compression-elevation) is the recommended method to treat
muscle and joint pain, strains and sprains. Many athletes also use
ice therapy as preventative treatment after a workout. Did you know
that women's risk of developing ACL injuries is four times greater
then men? Always have ice therapy on hand after a marathon or off
the slopes, in case your anterior cruciated ligament decides now's
the time to act up.

Comfort back pain – Forty-one percent, or 10 million women a year,
suffer from back pain. The major causes for women's back pain are
housework and gardening. Cool lower back pain with ice therapy.
It's an easy, immediate relief for nagging pain after you've been
pulling weeds or lugging groceries.

Ease migraine headache pain – Every woman experiences migraines at
some point in their life. It might be part of your monthly cycle or a
symptom of menopause. Ice therapy is a proven remedy for migraine
relief. Lie down for five to ten minutes and place an ice pack behind
your neck, on your forehead or temples. Ice naturally reduces
inflammation and numbs pain, decreasing the effect of migraines and
easing you into relief without the use of drugs.

Chill hot flashes and night sweats – 80% of women will experience
body heat fluctuations during menopause. Nothing chills a hot flash
like an ice pack! Keep a chilled pack in an insulated tote next to
your bed at night, ready when a flush of heat wakes you up.

Family first aid and home emergencies – If you have children or an
accident-prone husband, an ice pack in the freezer is a necessity.
Considered the first line of treatment to use for bumps, bruises,
sprains, black eyes, strains or minor burns, ice therapy is a must
for home emergencies.

Reduce swelling after surgery – Whether it's cosmetic,
reconstructive, or joint replacement – all will result in
postoperative swelling and bruising. Ice therapy is recommend by most
doctors to decrease inflammation and bruising after surgery.

Reduce puffy eyes – Not enough sleep? Allergies? Ice therapy relieves
puffy, swollen eyes with a little TLC.

Cool minor burns and treat insect bites – Like to garden, but hate
sunburn and bugs bites? Summer sun and pesky bugs won't get the best
of you when you use ice therapy. Wrap an ice pack in a towel for a
cold compress to gently cool sunburned skin. (But don't use on skin
that has blistered – seek medical attention for damaged skin.) Take
the sting out of bug bites, by using an ice massage directly on the
bite for 5 to 10 minutes. It will numb pain, relieve some of the
itching, and reduce swollen bumps caused by the bite.

Let ice be nice to you!

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for
professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with
your physician in the event of a serious injury.

About the Author: Louise Roach is a health and fitness editor,
marketing specialist, and product development consultant. She helps
others find pain relief through the use of SnowPack Cold Therapy
products. Ms. Roach has recently developed a take-with-you ice
therapy kit for women, with a percentage of the proceeds being
donated to the Women's Information Network Against Breast Cancer (WIN
ABC). Learn more about the benefits of cold therapy at
http://www.snowpackusa.com/