Cold compresses are mainly used in the early stages of acute closed soft tissue injuries, but there are still contraindications: those who are extremely sensitive to cold stimuli, cold compresses may induce arterial spasm; local blood circulation is obviously poor, or the elderly exist in the peripheral blood supply of the limbs, cold compresses can aggravate the impaired blood circulation, resulting in local tissue ischemia and hypoxia and degenerative necrosis; people with sensory dysfunction should be used with caution, as they cannot feel hot or cold and are prone to frostbite.
Cold compresses on the back of the occipital auricle and scrotum can easily cause frostbite; cold compresses on the precordial area can easily cause reflex slowing of the heart rate and arrhythmia; cold compresses on the abdomen can easily cause diarrhea and cold in weak people; cold compresses on the soles of the feet can cause adverse reactions due to vascular stimulation and contraction, so they should be used with caution or avoided. Cold compresses and ice massage should also not be used in areas with rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud’s syndrome, or sensory impairment.