means to reduce swelling

[alophysio]

Cool - i normally just ask them to ice bucket like the contrast bath above - 10mins in, 10 mins out, 10mins in every 2 hours. If you do that in the acute stage, things are a lot easier after...

[Canuck Physio]

Cool - i normally just ask them to ice bucket like the contrast bath above - 10mins in, 10 mins out, 10mins in every 2 hours. If you do that in the acute stage, things are a lot easier after...

- does laser therapy even work?

[estherderu]

dear everyone,

I have been in the profession for a while now and during my education (35yrs ago) we were taught to use the so called cold/icy-hot water baths. The problem was, nobody really knew for how long. Some people said, 8-10 seconds per bath, the others 30 sec´s etc.with no scientific backing at all at that time. In the above replies, we also see different time schedules!

I changed this by deciding to ask the patient for their opinion.... and lo and behold that was a good idea.
my "protocol" became....( especially for sprained ankles- after acute phase)

First find out what your patient really likes and dislikes first (warm-cold)
1. if they hate cold, start with warm....and if they hate warm, start with cold...
2. in the first case ( hate cold) start with warm untill their foot starts to feel nice and warm....
2. put foot in cold water untill they feel their foot feels really cold....
3 change back and forth and stop with a short cold session.

I have never looked into the scientific background for this protocol I must say.Most probably because it is no more that a measure you tell the patient to do at home. In my opinion it is not physiotherapy.

This bath routine can be done at home and because it is not unpleasant, I have the experience that people will do so.


Esther de Ru