Ice Packs and Hot Compresses There are different forms of therapy from physical therapy, to occupational therapy and even pet therapy. Another form of therapy is cold and heat therapy. Cold and heat therapy can be very effective in reducing inflammation and speeding up the wound healing process. Hot and cold compresses both lead to the same result: they both reduce pain and stimulate the release of endorphins. Ice and heat compresses can be very helpful for both injuries and to reduce swelling and pain. “Inside the plastic container of a cold compress there is a compartment containing solid ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) separate from a compartment containing water.” (Timberlake, Karen, 245) When ice is crushed, a reaction occurs between the water and the ammonium nitrate. “The temperature drops to approximately 4-5°C to provide a ready-to-use cold compress.” (Timberlake, Karen, 245) Cold ice packs stop blood flow, causing less inflammation and controlling bleeding. The ice pack can come in many forms, from ice gels to ice baths. You can also make your own ice pack by placing ice cubes or crushed ice in a bag. Some people may also use frozen peas or other frozen foods in the freezer. Ice packs work best when they are molded to the skin. Cold compresses work best if used within twenty-four hours of the injury. Inflammation usually occurs during the first 3 to 5 days after injury, which is the best time to apply ice to prevent inflammation. Most swelling occurs the day after the injury. It is best to use the cold compress for a period of 15-20 minutes with 30 minute breaks in between. If you use an ice pack for too long, you may start to feel numbness and tingling while you are icing it. Some... middle of paper... injuries. They can increase blood flow to an area to speed up the healing process, or they can reduce the inflammation of the swelling in an injury. Hot compresses and cold compresses are a very effective form of therapy and do not require many materials. Works Cited Metules, TJ. "Practical help: hot and cold compresses." Rn 70.1 (2007): Complete CINAHL. Network. April 1, 2014. Metalli, TJ. "Practical help: practical tips for the bedside. Hot and cold compresses." Health Traveler 14.9 (2007): 36-40. CINAHL Complete. Network. 7 April 2014.Schlossberg, Brandi. "Heat therapy". Massage Journal 213 (2014): 22-25. CINAHL Complete. Network. 8 April 2014. Lane, E and T Latham. “Pain Management Using Hot and Cold Therapy.” Pediatric Nursing 21.6 (2009): 14-18. CINAHL Complete. Network. April 8, 2014. Timberlake, Karen. General, Organic and Biological Chemistry. Glenview. Pearson Education. 2013. Print