How to Use an Igloo Cooler for a Shoulder Treatment

In the event of a shoulder injury, you can use your Igloo cooler to treat the symptoms. Icing an injured area helps to reduce inflammation and swelling, which can make the injury less painful. Since the effects of ice decrease 48 hours after the injury occurs, you'll want to begin the treatment immediately. A small Igloo cooler can provide quick relief until you can see a health-care professional, if that's needed.

Things You'll Need

• Collapsible six-can-size Igloo lunch cooler
• Ice

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Instructions

• 1

  Fill the collapsible Igloo cooler with enough ice so that it is not too heavy for you to hold on your shoulder. To prevent injury to the skin from the cold, it's important to use a soft or collapsible cooler so that the outer material provides a barrier between your skin and the cold.

• 2

  Apply the cooler to the injured area of the shoulder for 15 minutes at a time. You should feel the area change from feeling cold to burning, and then from aching to numb.

• 3

  Remove the cooler and allow at least 45 minutes before you ice the area again to prevent tissue damage. In the meantime, empty the cooler of any melted ice.

• 4

  Repeat the icing by pressing the cooler up against the injury for another 15-minute interval. Get approval from a health-care professional before using this technique for more than two days.