What Ice Actually Does to Injuries: Pain Relief vs Healing
The Immediate Effects of Cold: When you apply ice to an injury, your body responds within seconds. The cold temperature causes blood vessels near the skin to narrow through a process called vasoconstriction. This reaction reduces blood flow to the injured area, which decreases swelling in the short term. Ice also slows down nerve conduction, which reduces pain signals traveling to your brain. This numbing effect can start within five to ten minutes of application. For immediate pain relief, ice works effectively and provides comfort when you need it most.