San Francisco Carpal Tunnel Doctor and Hand Pain Expert comments:
The best way to ice the hands is to completely submerse them in ice, in a big bowl or bucket. Ice packs are better than nothing, but they don't get all the surface area of the hand, and the physiological effect is not the same as using the ice bath. Icing the hands this way is not the most enjoyable experience you will ever have either. In fact, it can be very uncomfortable for the first several minutes until the hand/s go numb, then you don't feel it. So, here's how you do it:
1. Get a bucket or bowl that is big enough for you to put your hand/s into for 10 minutes.
2. Dump some ice cubes in the bowl. enough to cover your hands completely.
3. Pour a little bit of water in the bowl. Just enough to break up the ice a little, but not so much that it will reduce the temperature too much.
4. Take a deep breath, bite a bullet, and put your hand/s in the bowl under the ice. It will hurt for a few minutes then go numb. Ice for 10-12 minutes.
5. Pull your hands out and wrap in a dry towel for several minutes.
6. Leave the ice in the bucket. A few hours later, dump some of the water out and ice again.
7. Do this 3-4 times per day when your hands are in a lot of pain.
If you live in the SF Bay Area and would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Carpal Tunnel Injury Center, please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a Complimentary CTS Evaluation.
San Francisco Carpal Tunnel Doctor and Hand Pain Expert comments:
1. Get a bucket or bowl that is big enough for you to put your hand/s into for 10 minutes.
2. Dump some ice cubes in the bowl. enough to cover your hands completely.
3. Pour a little bit of water in the bowl. Just enough to break up the ice a little, but not so much that it will reduce the temperature too much.
4. Take a deep breath, bite a bullet, and put your hand/s in the bowl under the ice. It will hurt for a few minutes then go numb. Ice for 10-12 minutes.
5. Pull your hands out and wrap in a dry towel for several minutes.
6. Leave the ice in the bucket. A few hours later, dump some of the water out and ice again.
7. Do this 3-4 times per day when your hands are in a lot of pain.
If you live in the SF Bay Area and would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Carpal Tunnel Injury Center, please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a Complimentary CTS Evaluation.