Question: How does ice help a sprained ankle or an other injury?

LauraAnne Furlong answered on 12 Nov 2016:

Use of ice when you have an injury is a hot topic in sport science these days. It was always previously recommended that you use it to reduce the heat and swelling that happened with an injury, it also slows the amount of blood rushing to the area because when the ice is applied, the blood vessels in the area get smaller so less blood can come through. Applying the ice to the area numbs it, so the pain is reduced.

However, when the blood rushes to the area, it also brings things that can help to heal it, which is why there is now much debate over whether you should use ice, or what the best way to ice is. Applying ice to a injury for ten minutes, then taking it off for ten minutes, then reapplying it again for another 10 minutes, every two hours for the first 24-48 hours after the injury happens is still the most commonly recommended thing to do with an injury like an ankle sprain or a muscle sprain, but it is something scientists are doing research into to find out what is the best thing to do.