Ice treatment

[traveler]

Does anybody have any information on icing your shoulder or elbow after pitching. I'm interested in knowing how long to ice. How soon after throwing, etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[aorta92]

i have been told to ice it once your done pitching and to do it 30min on and 30min off.

[Chris O'Leary]

Does anybody have any information on icing your shoulder or elbow after pitching. I'm interested in knowing how long to ice. How soon after throwing, etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Recent research suggests that routine icing, which means icing in the absence of specific pain or inflammation, may be counterproductive because it decreases bloodflow (which impairs the healing process).

[Baseball gLove]

i have been told to ice it once your done pitching and to do it 30min on and 30min off.

There was a recent study that icing for more than 10 minutes is harmful. Can't find it right now. Gotta go. I'll post if I find it.

[hawkiirock]

I dont think you want to ice over 20 minutes. Also, you can do ice massage for 7 minutes which is just as effective over small areas. Just freeze some styrofoam cups, peel the top of the cup down like an icecream cone and rub it on the area u r icing. Like i said, this only works for small areas if u r doing the 7 minutes.

Touching on what mr. O'Leary stated, lots of areas would respond well to ice and heat. Ice flushes the blood out and heat draws more blood in which can speed the healing process. Not sure if this is used for baseball specifically, but i know it is used for other areas of the body and if used properly, could help in certain circumstances.

[Centerfielder2]

you should ice it 15 mintues on 15min off, but dont forget to run right after u pitched

[Drill]

I have heard Ice it than heat it ice it heat it. Ice to help inflammation and heat to increase blood flow to help heal the damaged area.

But to be honest with you I really am not sure. Hear say I tell you hear say. Is there a doctor in the house.


drill

Nothing like a hot humid middle of the summer night when the sweat is rolling off of everyone to say lets put the heat on that shoulder time to take the ice off. (grin)

[hawkiirock]

i doubt you should put heat on it anytime soon after your workout. the running is a good tip IMO

[onbaseball]

Roger Clemens, while recently speaking with players from St. John's U., stated that a pitcher should never ice the elbow more than seven minutes and the shoulder no more than 10 or 12. I'm trying like heck to find out why, or where he got his info, but haven't found anything yet.

Maybe we can get Andy Pettitte to ask him ...

[Hardball]

I am assuming that this is for a kid who presents with no pain or other complaint.

Not needed.

When you see the big league guys with the ice packs strapped on you need to consider it within the context of a three or four day regimen that includes hydrotherapy, cold/heat, massage, cardio, and controlled throwing; all monitored by professional trainers and Physicians. Just laying a bag of ice on your arm after you throw ain't the same.

Otherwise, if it hurts, see a Doc.

Recent research suggests that routine icing, which means icing in the absence of specific pain or inflammation, may be counterproductive because it decreases bloodflow (which impairs the healing process). Yep.

[hawkiirock]

good point Hardball. Also, to the poster who stated 15 minutes on 15 off. We were taught to always take a hour off b/n. THis is all of course with pain/inflammation present

[scorekeeper]

Recent research suggests that routine icing, which means icing in the absence of specific pain or inflammation, may be counterproductive because it decreases bloodflow (which impairs the healing process).

How is it possible for a P to warm up, then throw even a moderate number of pitches in a game, without any degree of inflammation present? Mebbe you ought to define inflammation. Is it something visible to the naked eye on the surface of the skin?

I’ve seen videos of scopes being done because of an injury, almost immediately after throwing, and they look very much like tendonitis, both in normal view and in infrared. No matter who it is, there’s gonna be mico-tears, swelling, and inflammation to at least some degree.

I’m not arguing for or against icing, but think its wise for each individual to discuss it with his sports Med doc, then follow their advice. After all, its not me or anyone else on a baseball discussion board that’s gonna be treating traveler, his kid, or maybe his players if he’s a coach.

[wogdoggy]

a medium jog after pitching is more beneficial than ice

[CanadianKid]

I've been taught 10min on 10 min off and run a pole or 2 to get the lactic acid out of your arm.

[hawkiirock]

i am sorry but i think the inflammation i am talking about is obvious. It would be accompanied by swelling and painHow is it possible for a P to warm up, then throw even a moderate number of pitches in a game, without any degree of inflammation present? Mebbe you ought to define inflammation. Is it something visible to the naked eye on the surface of the skin?

I’ve seen videos of scopes being done because of an injury, almost immediately after throwing, and they look very much like tendonitis, both in normal view and in infrared. No matter who it is, there’s gonna be mico-tears, swelling, and inflammation to at least some degree.

I’m not arguing for or against icing, but think its wise for each individual to discuss it with his sports Med doc, then follow their advice. After all, its not me or anyone else on a baseball discussion board that’s gonna be treating traveler, his kid, or maybe his players if he’s a coach.