Why does icing hurt so bad!?

Kimblesnbits
Kimblesnbits Posts: 321 Member
edited October 5 in Fitness and Exercise
Whenever I ice my knee or shins for like 20 mins, they seem to hurt so much more afterwards! A very stiff feeling NOT a burning skin sensation. It's so bad thatthe have to limp to the freezer to put the ice back! Do other people feel this way as well?

Replies

  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    ...probably shouldn't ice them that long.
  • _JamieB_
    _JamieB_ Posts: 417 Member
    I was always told 20 min on 20 min off....and I have never had a problem with hurting worse after icing...
  • bstamps12
    bstamps12 Posts: 1,184
    Mine never hurt after icing, maybe a little stiff, but I stretch for a few minutes. You should only keep the ice on 20 minutes. If you need more, ice 20 minutes, take ice off 20 minutes, ice 20 minutes.
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
    I hope you have some sort of barrier between your skin and the ice bag. Use a dishtowel or something. It shouldn't hurt.
  • aimeeturner
    aimeeturner Posts: 225 Member
    Hmmm...no, but I will tell you what I did just the other day that really hurts. I always ice my knee after every workout if at all possible because of a knee surgery and the ice seems to keep it from swelling. I iced it as usual two nights ago and it seemed to be colder than usual. I soon realized that I had "burned" my knee which is still red and very tender. It feels just like a burn I would have if I had touched something hot. This is my first experience with this. So, from now on I will wrap my ice pack in a towel. :cry:
  • deathstarclock
    deathstarclock Posts: 512 Member
    I hate getting caught icing. I do it all the time. Oh wait, we're not talking about hockey...
  • Kimblesnbits
    Kimblesnbits Posts: 321 Member
    Yeah it feels SUPER stiff actually
  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
    Are you putting a gel/ice pack straight on your skin? If so I would say that is why. I use one that is covered in fabric so I get the cold but no pain. It was pricey ($75 for my shoulder) but well worth it. They also sell ones that come with a fabric holder at the pharmacy. I find those have the right fabric thickness i.e. a towel is too thick and the ice doesn't do it's job as well. Good luck!
  • Legs_McGee
    Legs_McGee Posts: 845 Member
    I've never had that problem - maybe it's not the icing causing the stiffness, maybe the timing just makes it seem that way (like your knee would be stiffening up post-run anyway). Or maybe it's like some others have said and the bag is too cold or you're leaving it on too long. A friend of mine fell asleep while icing and gave herself frostbite.

    I thought you were talking about taking an ice bath after a run - that hurts like a motherf**ker..... :)
  • WifeMomDVM
    WifeMomDVM Posts: 1,025 Member
    Ha ha! I thought this post was about cake frosting at first.... guess I'm ALWAYS thinking about food!!!!! :laugh:
  • erin_zuk
    erin_zuk Posts: 226 Member
    I hate getting caught icing. I do it all the time. Oh wait, we're not talking about hockey...

    you and I had the same thought!
  • lindseyb317
    lindseyb317 Posts: 56 Member
    in my first aid class, we learned to ice bruises for ten minutes on, ten minutes off. the same rule could probably apply to sore muscles and joints. try that to see if it helps alleviate the shock
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