Information on Icing

[SluggerCF91]

Icing is said to be the "miracle drug" of the 2000's for pitchers. It is said to relieve pain, keep pitchers arm's healthy and get their arms ready for their next start/outing. I've heard from some people that Icing works, and from other people it doesn't. I don't know if icing works or not, so I'll find out myself. I just need some information on it.

When should I ice my arm?

How long should I ice my arm?

If the ice is too cold for me to handle, should I take it off?

If my arm doesn't hurt, should I ice?

When icing, should I use a gel pack, bag of peas, or should I but a few ice cubes in a sandwich bag, seal it up, and hold it on my arm?

Can I ever over-do icing?

When (if ever) should I use heat as a treatment to my arm?

If I'm home, and I don't have a game tomorrow, and I don't have anything to do, and my arm doesn't hurt, should I ice?

Should I ice right after a light catch?

KK, thats a lot, if you have any information that would help, I thank you in advance.

[Braves Fan 24]

If your arm hurts, ice it. Usually 20 mins on, 20 off, 20 on. I'm not exactly sure as to why ice helps the arm, but I think that it numbs the nerves in the area you hurt so it won't hurt as bad.

Both of our pitching coaches recommend ice and long distance jogging/running to help your arm.

[SAM I AM]

My son is pitching about 2 innings twice a week. Pitch count way under 50 pitches. When he is not pitching, he is in the field. My question is when do you start icing a pitcher's arm? Is he still young for that? If not, is it too late to begin icing after a game? It would be awkward to pitch and then try to apply an ice pack and be on deck to hit at the same time. What are some good tips on if and when to start icing?

[Hardball]

Icing in and of itself can do more harm than good in a small boy. At higher levels of play it is part of a course of Hydrotherapy, massage therapy, stretching, aerobic workout, and rebound throwing associated with a five - seven day rotation which sustains, (in theory for sure), pitchers competing in five to eight month seasons.

Better to concentrate on keeping the pitch count low and throwing him no more than once a week.

[SluggerCF91]

If your arm hurts, ice it. Usually 20 mins on, 20 off, 20 on. I'm not exactly sure as to why ice helps the arm, but I think that it numbs the nerves in the area you hurt so it won't hurt as bad.

Both of our pitching coaches recommend ice and long distance jogging/running to help your arm.
I really don't care about the pain, I can deal with it no matter how bad it is, I'm just worried about keeping my arm in healthy enough shape to pitch. Your coaches recommend long distance running as a treatment to a pitchers arm? Or to strengthen it?

[Jake Patterson]

I really don't care about the pain, I can deal with it no matter how bad it is, I'm just worried about keeping my arm in healthy enough shape to pitch. Your coaches recommend long distance running as a treatment to a pitchers arm? Or to strengthen it?


Your arm is not healthy if you have pain. Pain is the body's way of telling you something is wrong.

[SluggerCF91]

Your arm is not healthy if you have pain. Pain is the body's way of telling you something is wrong.
So if icing is supposed to numb the pain, isn't it stupid to use it? Thats like taking a painkiller when you get shot, it stops the pain, but it doesn't cure the problem. I thought Ice was a way to cure the problem, in this case "the problem" is the cause of my pain. Notice i didn't say "the pain", I said "the cause" of the pain.

[Jake Patterson]

So if icing is supposed to numb the pain, isn't it stupid to use it? Thats like taking a painkiller when you get shot, it stops the pain, but it doesn't cure the problem. I thought Ice was a way to cure the problem, in this case "the problem" is the cause of my pain. Notice i didn't say "the pain", I said "the cause" of the pain.


I have my players ice their arms only when there is joint pain. Here's what Steve Ellis says - http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_icing.htm

During our certification process we are told 10 on 10 off for 30-40 minutes. Ice is not for the pain it is to slow blood flow and reduce swelling.

[pauliedanger]

Yeah, if you're in pain, stop. Pain is a red flag and if you want to stay healthy, you'll stay acutely aware of your pain. But remember, when you work out, you're basically ripping muscle fiber so it'll rebuild itself stronger.

As far as icing. I think it's the fact that ice contracts the muscle that makes it work. I think. I could be completely off base. But it's not the numbing factor that makes it work.

[SluggerCF91]

I have my players ice their arms only when there is joint pain. Here's what Steve Ellis says - http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_icing.htm

During our certification process we are told 10 on 10 off for 30-40 minutes. Ice is not for the pain it is to slow blood flow and reduce swelling.
According to Steve Ellis, Icing actually slows a pitchers recovery time. Thats all the info I needed to know, thank you.

[hawkiirock]

Dont get too tunnel visioned and base your decision off what one guy writes. I think there are numerous big league clubs that would disagree with him.
I personally recommend 20 minutes on and 1 hour off. You dont want to ice too long b/c it reduces blood flow and your tissues need their blood supply.

[hawkiirock]

I would just keep an eye on your boy for any signs of inflammation. Also, check his forearm for trigger points that will put more stress on his elbow and can lead to inflammation/pain

[hiddengem]

I've played with Major League pitchers that never ice and never have. You're sons tendons and ligaments are like rubber right now, just leave him alone.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

I think there are numerous big league clubs that would disagree with him.I've heard this before. But people have replied that icing is only part of a pitcher's recovery from a start. They have 5 days to get their arm back to full power, and they do stuff like massage, hot tub, long toss, etc... Ice is only one piece of the puzzle for them. Plus, they're throwing tremendously hard and placing massive stress on their arm. Certainly not as much as and kid.

[Jake Patterson]

I've heard this before. But people have replied that icing is only part of a pitcher's recovery from a start. They have 5 days to get their arm back to full power, and they do stuff like massage, hot tub, long toss, etc... Ice is only one piece of the puzzle for them. Plus, they're throwing tremendously hard and placing massive stress on their arm. Certainly not as much as and kid.

I recommend we et DDogg to weigh in here...
I'll PM him.
Jake

[Jake Patterson]

Hi all ... I merged both icing threads...

[TG Coach]

My son (now 14U and 8th grade) has never iced. He's never had a sore or stiff arm before this season. Of course he doesn't pitch excessively either.

His arm has had some off and on stiffness and soreness this year. But it's from cold weather preventing getting loose and indoors not being large enough to do long toss. A lot of kids arms could use some better weather this year.

[Braves Fan 24]

I really don't care about the pain, I can deal with it no matter how bad it is, I'm just worried about keeping my arm in healthy enough shape to pitch. Your coaches recommend long distance running as a treatment to a pitchers arm? Or to strengthen it?


He recommends it as treatment to help recovery. Usually just a medium paced (75-80%) jog for about 15-20 mins. It breaks up the lactic acid in your arm which will make the stiff and soreness go away faster so that you can recover faster. It also has the plus side of lower body endurance training, so you can go a little longer while pitching too.

I haven't seen icing make a pitcher recover more slow.

[hawkiirock]

i agree about the ice being 1 part of the recovery. However, i disagree about the stress on their arm. A kid throws a ball that weighs the same as what an adult is throwing. Also, the adults have much better mechanics. I think kids put more stress/strain on their arms. They are just fortunate to have the elasticity and healthy tendons/ligaments to withstand it. Just my opinionI've heard this before. But people have replied that icing is only part of a pitcher's recovery from a start. They have 5 days to get their arm back to full power, and they do stuff like massage, hot tub, long toss, etc... Ice is only one piece of the puzzle for them. Plus, they're throwing tremendously hard and placing massive stress on their arm. Certainly not as much as and kid.

[Chris O'Leary]

Icing is said to be the "miracle drug" of the 2000's for pitchers. It is said to relieve pain, keep pitchers arm's healthy and get their arms ready for their next start/outing. I've heard from some people that Icing works, and from other people it doesn't. I don't know if icing works or not, so I'll find out myself. I just need some information on it.

I don't think icing makes sense.

Soreness is normal and will go away.

If your arm hurts, go see a doctor.

[dw8man]

We have found that running after pitching (with a short rest before running) for about 10 minutes really seems to be very helpful. Some of the pitchers used to comment about stiffness in the elbow or shoulder after pitching (either that night or the next day) but since we have had them rest some and then jog, they have all noticed that their arms feel fine.

[SluggerCF91]

We have found that running after pitching (with a short rest before running) for about 10 minutes really seems to be very helpful. Some of the pitchers used to comment about stiffness in the elbow or shoulder after pitching (either that night or the next day) but since we have had them rest some and then jog, they have all noticed that their arms feel fine.
Thats odd... I would like to try it but my team usually shakes hands, packs up, and goes to the outfield to talk, and all that takes about 15 minutes. I could just drop my stuff and run after that but I would be keeping my family waiting, and I would look like a moron jogging on a field by myself, lol. I'm not sure if the effect would be the same if I waited until I got home to try it, but I'll try that and see how it works.

[Braves Fan 24]

my coach has us do it the next day and it works for them

[dw8man]

Thats odd... I would like to try it but my team usually shakes hands, packs up, and goes to the outfield to talk, and all that takes about 15 minutes. I could just drop my stuff and run after that but I would be keeping my family waiting, and I would look like a moron jogging on a field by myself, lol. I'm not sure if the effect would be the same if I waited until I got home to try it, but I'll try that and see how it works.

Actually, that is just about what our team does. They get an after the game talking too and then the pitchers run. Now, if there is a game afterwards, they have to run somewhere else but normally there is not. You know, if you look like a moron now but your arm stays health and you have a good baseball career because of it, who's the moron? Most people make fun of what they do not understand or are afraid of!

[SluggerCF91]

Actually, that is just about what our team does. They get an after the game talking too and then the pitchers run. Now, if there is a game afterwards, they have to run somewhere else but normally there is not. You know, if you look like a moron now but your arm stays health and you have a good baseball career because of it, who's the moron? Most people make fun of what they do not understand or are afraid of!
AMEN brother.

[Maxx]

Sorry about the delay in responding to this, but we've been playing practically every night. And when we aren't playing, I'm mowing grass :)

I don't have any definitive answers on the topic of icing. Those questions are best answered by a certified athletic trainer (ATC), which I am not. I have posed this question on my forum, with no concrete solutions. With Jake's ok, here are a couple of links to my forum where this has been discussed. Sorry I can't be of more help........

http://www.maxxtraining.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2569#2569

http://www.maxxtraining.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=106