II. Indications
- Acute Musculoskeletal Injury
- Chronic Pain relief for Musculoskeletal Injury
- Prevention of Muscle soreness after high intensity and resistance Exercise
- Short cold water immersion (<59 F or 15 C, <10-15 min) decreases soreness in first 24 hours
- Moore (2022) Sports Med 52(7): 1667-88 [PubMed]
III. Technique
- Apply cold, static or with massage
- Wrap in wet thin towel an Ice pack or Bag of frozen peas
- Ice in dixie cups (see ice massage below)
- Immersed in 55 F cool water
- Alternative Techniques: Ice massage
- Water frozen in paper cup
- Rub ice over heel in circular motion for 5-10 minutes
- Frequency: As often as once hourly to every 2-4 hours
- Duration: 15 to 20 minutes per application (avoid application longer than 30 minutes)
- Length of treatment
- Acute Injury: 72 hours
- Chronic Injury: as needed
IV. Precautions
V. Contraindications
- Patients at risk for limb vasospasm or ischemia