Ice therapy is a women's best friend. Really! I'm not kidding. When it comes to alternative medicine, using ice is an easy, drug-free and inexpensive therapy right out of your freezer. The simple technique of ?icing? is used to lessen pain and decrease inflammation, but it has many more uses, particularly for women.

Injury treatment -- For sports and overuse injuries. R.I.C.E. therapy (rest-ice-compression-elevation) is the recommended method to treat muscle and joint pain, strains and sprains. Many athletes also use ice therapy as preventative treatment after a workout. Did you know that women's risk of developing ACL injuries is four times greater then men? Always have ice therapy on hand after a marathon or off the slopes, in case your anterior circuited ligament decides now's the time to act up.

Comfort back pain ? Forty-one percent, or 10 million women a year, suffer from back pain. The major causes for women's back pain are housework and gardening. Cool lower back pain with ice therapy. It's an easy, immediate relief for nagging pain after you've been pulling weeds or lugging groceries.

Ease migraine headache pain ? Every woman experiences migraines at some point in their life. It might be part of your monthly cycle or a symptom of menopause. Ice therapy is a proven remedy for migraine relief. Lie down for five to ten minutes and place an ice pack behind your neck, on your forehead or temples. Ice naturally reduces inflammation and numbs pain, decreasing the effect of migraines and easing you into relief without the use of drugs.

Chill hot flashes and night sweats ? 80% of women will experience body heat fluctuations during menopause. Nothing chills a hot flash like an ice pack! Keep a chilled pack in an insulated tote next to your bed at night, ready when a flush of heat wakes you up.

Family first aid and home emergencies ? If you have children or an accident-prone husband, an ice pack in the freezer is a necessity. Considered the first line of treatment to use for bumps, bruises, sprains, black eyes, strains or minor burns, ice therapy is a must for home emergencies.

Reduce swelling after surgery ? Whether it's cosmetic, reconstructive, or joint replacement ? all will result in postoperative swelling and bruising. Ice therapy is recommended by most doctors to decrease inflammation and bruising after surgery.

Reduce puffy eyes ? Not enough sleep? Allergies? Ice therapy relieves puffy, swollen eyes with a little TLC.

Cool minor burns and treat insect bites ? Like to garden, but hate sunburn and bugs bites? Summer sun and pesky bugs won't get the best of you when you use ice therapy. Wrap an ice pack in a towel for a cold compress to gently cool sunburned skin. (But don't use on skin that has blistered ? seek medical attention for damaged skin.) Take the sting out of bug bites, by using an ice massage directly on the bite for 5 to 10 minutes. It will numb pain, relieve some of the itching, and reduce swollen bumps caused by the bite.

Let ice be nice to you!

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with your physician in the event of a serious injury.