When you need instant cooling, cold sprays and gels are quick and convenient - they are frequently seen in football and rugby matches when a player takes a knock but wants to carry on playing.
Cold sprays and gels work by instantly cooling the area to help kill pain and reduce short term swelling. In addition to short term treatment of traumatic sports injuries, they can also be used to treat the following:
- Rheumatic pain
- Sciatica
- Lumbago
- Fibrositis
- Strains and sprains
- Cramp
- Bruises
Sprays typically use a chemical like dimethyl ether to cool the area - but beware, this is highly flammable, so be careful where you use it!
An alternative is a cold gel. Because these are applied by hand, they combine the benefits of cold treatment with those of a gentle muscle massage. They are often used either before or after sport to relieve pain.
Other uses include treatment of:
- Joint pain
- Tendon pain
- Muscle strains and sprains
