At Circle Creek Therapy, we like to try an array of tools during our therapy sessions. Ice cubes are one of our unconventional tools that we like to implement into our occupational, speech, or physical therapy sessions.
You are probably wondering, why or how would a therapist use ice during a session? Well, we like to bring in ice cubes if one of our patients is feeling overstimulated, or if they are having a meltdown. We will bring in a very cold wash cloth, or an ice cube and place it on our patient's hands, forehead, or neck area.
Placing an ice cube on any one of these areas engages the parasympathetic nervous system. This system relaxes the body and stops, or slows various high energy functions. Once we put the ice on their body, it helps our patients take the edge off of whatever they were feeling.
For some of our pediatric patients, we have noticed a dramatic, and instantaneous change in their mood once we put the ice on their bodies. At one moment they are unconsolable, and then once they feel the intense cold, they are instantly pulled out of their previous state of mind.
Even though ice is an unconventional tool, it has proven to be effective.
For more information about our therapy services, call us at 253.237.3405. We are always here to answer your questions or concerns.