At the Institute for Functional Health we use the therapy modality Ice Massage for injuries that cause swelling, arthritis, and for tendonitis injuries like Plantar Fasciitis or Tennis Elbow.
Ice massage is the use of ice directly on the injury to help:
- Relieve pain
- Reduce swelling
- Reduce Inflammation
- Promotes healing
- Desensitize trigger points
Ice massage should not be applied as a first aide treatment or during the acute Inflammatory response because ice massage can’t be done with compression and in acute injuries compression needs to be given.
It is a fast and inexpensive way to get the effects of cryotherapy on an injury.
To prepare for the ice massage take a small Styrofoam cup and fill it about 2/3 of the way with water and then freeze it. After the water in the cup is frozen you tear off the Styrofoam on the top of the cup. You will then smooth out the rough edges on a towel and then the cup is ready to use!
When performing ice massage it is important to know the steps you will feel. Since it is ice directly onto skin you will feel burning first, then tingling, and lastly you will be numb. When giving ice massage you use the cup in a nice and slow circular motion over the area.
This modality is very effective and easy to do at home.