How to Use Ice With Acute Arthritis Inflammation

When your joints are swollen, red, and painful due to arthritis inflammation, you may be tempted to just take more pain medication. But there are more natural and safer methods than adding costly medications (and their side effects) to your pain-management routine. Learn how ice and cold compresses can be effective in reducing swelling and pain.

Instructions

1

Use ice on your joints when they are painful or swollen. Inflammation often appears as puffiness and redness in the affected area.

2

Prepare a cold compress or pack for your joints by filling a plastic sealable bag with ice and water, closing tightly and wrapping in a towel or cloth. Remove all the air from the bag before closing to prevent accidental leakage when pressure is applied to the bag.

3

For more intense cold treatment, place a damp towel, folded, into the freezer (place in a plastic bag so it will not freeze to the side or bottom of your freezer.) After 15 to 30 minutes, remove from the freezer.

4

For instant cold compresses without ice or waiting time, keep a bag of dried lentils or other beans in the freezer. Wrap the bag in a damp towel and use as a cold compress when needed. The small shape of the beans will wrap around the inflamed joint, and the beans can be put back into the freezer when you are done without any ill effects. Bags of foods such as frozen vegetables can also be used for this purpose, but will need to be used afterwards, as the partially thawed vegetables will not freeze well a second time.

5

Find a comfortable seated position. Apply the cold compress, wrapped in a towel or cloth, to the affected area. Use until the pain or swelling subsides, usually between five and 20 minutes. The cold will help numb the pain and lower the inflammation.