How do you use ice gel packs to help relieve bursitis pain? (UK)

One of the conditions that can affect the joints the most is bursitis. When it occurs it requires specialist evaluation and treatment. Fortunately, hot and cold gel pack therapies are an excellent option because of their effectiveness and ease of use.

Bursitis causes a lot of pain and inflammation and usually involves changing the level of activities performed. However, sometimes they do not have a specific cause. If you want to know more about it and how you can improve it with hot and cold gel packs, come with us.

What are the causes and origin of joint pain from bursitis?

Bursitis is an inflammatory pathology that specifically affects the bursa. The bursa is a fluid-filled sac or pouch that surrounds structures such as tendons, muscles and bones. This fluid facilitates the movement and displacement of joint structures to avoid friction between them.

Bursae can be located in many places in the body, in fact there may be more than 150. They are much more common in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, hips, pelvis, knees, feet, and heels. When this becomes inflamed it becomes a very painful and disabling condition, so it is an important condition to know about.

It can be acute, when it occurs suddenly and unexpectedly. But they can also become a chronic pathology as a result of repeated bursitis in the same joint. Their causes and origins can be very diverse, among which we can mention

• Excessive and repeated movements: Performing any movement repeatedly and continuously over a long period of time can generate a lot of friction. This represents an overload on the capacities of that joint that will end up being inflamed and in a lot of pain.
• Trauma or injury: Any trauma or injury that has a direct impact on the joint can cause inflammation of the bursa. Also leaning for long periods on the elbows, spending a lot of time on your knees causes its inflammation.
• Muscle overload: Some high-impact sports cause overloading of the muscles by repetitive movements.
• Adjacent infectious processes: A wound, abscess or inflammatory lesion in the joint or in a nearby site can generate a bursitis. Even if it is not an injury directly involving the joint, if the inflammatory process is severe it can penetrate into the joint.
• Joint diseases: It can also be generated by inflammatory diseases of the joints such as rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis or osteoarthritis.

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What are the advantages of applying cold to reduce joint pain from bursitis?

When bursitis occurs, the main concern is to restore the natural mobility of the joint. It is important to know the cause or origin of its appearance in order to improve inflammation and pain.

Cryotherapy or cold therapy is one of the great solutions for this condition. It always goes hand in hand with other complementary treatments such as pharmacological and physiotherapy. Moreover, it can be a great option because it does not generate side effects.

Among the advantages it generates we can mention:

• It reduces inflammation: The decrease in temperature of the tissues of the joint causes a vasoconstriction that generates a reduction in blood flow. This causes a decrease in tissue metabolism which reduces edema and inflammation.
• Improves pain: The cold and its consequent reduction in blood flow causes a neuromuscular action that reduces the conduction of the peripheral nerves. This results in a considerable improvement in pain and is considered a powerful analgesic.
• Prevents oedema: Just as it generates a vasoconstriction in the blood vessels, it also causes it in the lymphatic vessels. This means that the lymph or interstitial fluid is not lost in the tissues, thus preventing edema.
• It prevents damage to adjacent tissues: By limiting the blood flow to the affected site, the precursor elements of inflammation are prevented from reaching it. Excess inflammation causes tissue damage and thanks to cryotherapy this can be avoided.
• It keeps tendons, ligaments and muscles relaxed: After the inflammation has subsided, cryotherapy is often used to keep the soft tissues and muscles relaxed.
• It does not generate side effects: It is a therapy that if properly placed can generate the best benefits in joint inflammation.

How to use cold gel packs and reduce inflammation from joint bursitis?

Cold gel packs to reduce inflammation from bursitis are very easy to use. Before using them you need to follow these practical recommendations:

1. Cool for 2 hours: Before using the gel ice packs they need to be placed in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 2 hours. This is the minimum time required to achieve the optimum temperature that will generate the best results.
2. Test the temperature: After 2 hours, check the temperature of the packs and make sure it is optimal. If you think it is too cold, wait a few minutes before using it.
3. Use skin protection: The packs we have designed do not require the use of cloths or covers to put them on the affected area. Our packs come with a soft fabric that protects the skin from damage from cold temperatures. Other types of pads or pads require the use of a protective fabric.
4. Start using it: Place the pad on the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes with 1 to 2 hours of rest. It is important not to exceed the exposure time to avoid burns to the skin.
5. Elevate the affected area: It is important to combine cryotherapy with elevation of the affected area to maintain the decrease in inflammation and pain.
6. Monitor the skin of the area to be treated: Do not forget to check every 5 minutes the condition of the skin of the affected area. If you notice any redness or discoloration, stop the therapy immediately.
7. Return the ice pack to the freezer: When the cryotherapy is finished, it is important to return the gel ice pack to the freezer so that it returns to the cold temperature. Remember that you will have to use it again within 1 to 2 hours.