Ice Therapy Machines vs. Ice Packs

A pplying ice to a wound was proven to be the best way to reduce pain in the absence of painkillers. Today, ice therapy is used as a complementary after-injury or after-surgery treatment for a large number of cases as it helps reduce the edema and provides relief by numbing the nerve endings where the sprain or the wound occurred. The most common solution is to use ice packs since they come in handy, don’t cost a lot, and don’t take too much space in the freezer. Yet, a new option has started gaining popularity lately as more reviews mention the ice therapy machine as being more efficient in reducing post-surgery symptoms. In the following, we compare the two methods to see if it is more advantageous to switch to a device instead of using the traditional gel packs.

Cosmetologist Using Microdermabrasion Machine

Ice Therapy Machines Are More Efficient and Comfortable to Use

The first candidate is the cold therapy device, which consists of a reservoir that gets filled with water and ice. The reservoir is connected to a therapeutic pad through two hoses that carry the water pushed by the integrated pump. Using an ice therapy device is simple: the water is circulated and then gets back into the reservoir where it touches the ice again and decreases its temperature. This way, the water in the pad is always cold, so the sensation of numbness is maintained.

This option comes with a lot of benefits, but there are also a series of cons that need to be considered, as we are about to see.

Advantages

• Up to 6 hours of continuous use – when you have reduced mobility, you depend on somebody else for a lot of things. Compared to an ice pack, the machine allows you more independence since you no longer need assistance with this aspect for 4 to 6 hours. Larger machines allow you to store more ice and maintain the low temperature for longer, so you should pick a higher volume if you will not be able to move with ease.
• Fewer chances of leaking – even if the water and the ice used in the therapy are not dirty, this doesn’t mean that they are sterile, so you should avoid letting your bandage get wet, otherwise, you risk your wound getting infected. This can be difficult to control with a regular ice bag since the seal is not always reliable. When using the machine, if you pay attention when connecting the hoses to the pad, you should not come in contact with the water that circulates it.
• Cold intensity control – “Cryotherapy-treated patients required less opioid consumption”, this study However, the efficiency of the treatment depends on if it is applied optimally. If the temperature isn’t low enough, the effects may not appear. On the other hand, if the temperature is too low, it can lead to frostbites. Luckily, most machines allow you to control the speed with which the water is circulated, which generates changes at the temperature level.
• The pad adjusts to the wounded area – compared to a cold compress, the pad is large, thin, and flexible and can be wrapped and tied over the area that needs icing. This makes it more comfortable to use since you don’t need to use your hands to keep it in place.
• Some models offer compression – this function is often offered with ice therapy and provides similar support to a body shaper, helping keep the tissue in place for the wound to heal uniformly. Since there are studies that have proven that compression combined with cold is more efficient for pain relief than cold alone, this option shouldn’t be ignored.

Disadvantages

• More expensive upfront cost – it is understandable why an electric device would cost more than an ice pack, however, not every patient affords to pay $100 to $200 for the machine.
• Risk of frostbite – in case you fall asleep, the device can keep going for a few hours, which can lead to your skin becoming extremely cold to the point you may wake up with frostbites.
• Bulky and more difficult to carry around – although the machines come with handles, they are large and cannot be easily transported or stored.

Woman Uses Cold Compression on Shoulder

Ice Packs are a Cheap Way to Reduce Soft Tissue Pain

This method is the most accessible, and this is why it is largely used not only at home but in hospitals as well. Cold packs were proven to reduce pain and inflammation similarly to machines and are used to treat postoperative pain in a large array of cases. Here are the bonuses and downsides you can expect when using cold packs.

Advantages

• Cheap and reusable – in general, ice packs cost around $10 to $15 and can provide not only cold therapy but hot and cold therapy as well. Moreover, you can reuse them multiple times, so this is actually a great investment both in the short and long term.
• Compact – you can store multiple packs in the freezer as they are slim and lightweight. This way, you can have a fresh one at hand, every time you feel that the old one is getting warm. You can also just throw them in a travel bag and use them at a different location if you need to travel.
• No wetting – unlike regular ice bags, ice packs are filled with a gel that doesn’t melt when applied to the warm skin. This way, there is no risk that your bandage gets wet and carries bacteria that can make your wound get infected.

Disadvantages

• Need to be replaced more often – since no liquid gets circulated and all the gel comes in contact with the area exposed to the treatment, the temperature transfer between the skin and the pack takes place faster. Thus, you will need a new pack every 1 to 2 hours.
• No way to control the cool intensity – packs are what they are: bags filled with a cold gel. You have no way to make it cooler or warmer, so you need to pay more attention when applying it to your skin to avoid frostbites. On the other hand, it gets warmer faster, so if you accidentally fall asleep while using one, the consequences may not be as severe.
• You need to find a way to keep them attached – some packs are flexible and come with ties, but in most cases, you will be looking at a rectangular bag filled with a gel that will not stay in place unless you keep it pressed with your hand. This can be quite uncomfortable, especially if you need to use the ice therapy for a few days in a row.

The Bottom Line: Is an Ice Therapy Machine Worth It?

Most patients who were exposed to ice therapy reported feeling an improvement in the pain level they perceived. The difference between the use of a machine and ice packs was not visible at this level, as they both helped reduce swelling and deal with aches. However, when assessing the comfort provided by the two methods, the general opinion is that an ice therapy device is simpler to use and, despite its larger dimensions, a more reliable pain reliever during trips.

Even if it is more expensive, it can be used again and again, and the best thing about it is that you don’t need to freeze the water in a certain shape. You can fill it with ice cubes or freeze water in bottles, which can last longer. The ice packs are great if you move a lot as they are compact and fit inside a bag. They are cheaper and produce good effects. Nevertheless, they are less comfortable to use, and this can make a big difference.