Reduce inflammation: Icing for acute injuries works by reducing the influx of inflammatory cells and mediators to the area of injury that would otherwise cause significant swelling and pain. This lessens the impact of the inflammatory phase of injury so that there can be quicker transition to healing and recovery.
Answered 8/29/2016
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See below: Ice sometimes helps by constricting blood vessels so to stop bleeding at a particular injury site and thus decreasing the amount of swelling at the site. But, it should only be used temporarily as the healing response will require intact blood flow to the injury site to bring proper nutients to the site and bring about healing.
Answered 7/8/2016
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