The Absolute Best Icing Technique

[Cummins]

This was shared with Enrod in his training journal post, but I thought others could benefit from this awesome icing technique. This was learned at a physical therapy center a number of years ago. Although it takes some planning to get the cups and freeze them overnight, it's worth the effort. Try this once and you will be amazed at how much more effective it is over a bag of ice cubes held to your skin. And a cold pack will feel like a heating pad once you've tried this bad ass technique.

Buy some paper cups (medium size - not the little ones and not Styrofoam). Fill a dozen of them up with water and place them in the freezer. Once their frozen, take one out and peel the paper part of the cup down to about half way. What you have is an ice block with a paper base to hold on to so your fingers don't freeze. Grip the paper base with your fingers and place the ice end directly on the joint. Start making little circles while maintaining skin contact for 7 to 10 minutes. Move the ice around to treat the entire joint during this time (ie - if it's a knee that's giving you problems, do the front, sides, and back area). Have a towel ready for dripping.

Anyone having a joint issue that needs icing is encouraged to try this technique. Hope that helps Brothers.

[PAiN]

That's a great idea!

Thanks for sharing this.

[Mr Tiny]

I have to say you hit this spot on, my wife is a Physical Therapist and I am fortunate (or unfortunate) of having her secret of this for a while now. I say unfortunate because after the deep icing she gives me she does deep traction on the injury and hit hurts like hell but man does it help with injuries. I am currently nursing a bicep injury and this is doing great for me.

[Antagonist]

thanks for the info very helpful

[hockeytownpump]

Cool idea I'm going to give it a try. Let you know how it works later.

[Pinkman200]

Awesome info, thanks man, I'll be trying it sometime

[ironman53]

that's a awesome idea,,,sounds like will work perfect

[nat2ral!]

Bump! Great stuff

[meatneck71]

Buy an Ossur machine. Great for cold therapy. They have wraps for just about every joint.. I blew out my shoulder so I don't think I'm going to be in the game anymore... future looks bleak for me atm, but I'm trying to stay poz, but the ossur machine, definitely worth it's weight. The pads wear out over constant usage, like example, I have to put it on several times a day, fall asleep with it on, etc.. the material will wear out, but for an average joe, definitely stop messing with ice cubes and get one of these. Be warned, try not to buy it from Amazon. They have sent ones that have been used!! So gross. Someone returned it with dog and cat hairs, water in the pad, the dude / chick was a smoker, and body funk galore. I spent about 200$ or so at a local store, bought the large shoulder pad from a site in California. These things do rock!