How long should/can you do it for? A PT told a friend of mine to only do it for 5 minutes at a time becasue it may burn the tendon or something? Is that a legit rule to go by or are you fine to go longer?
How long should/can you do it for? A PT told a friend of mine to only do it for 5 minutes at a time becasue it may burn the tendon or something? Is that a legit rule to go by or are you fine to go longer?
I do it until the ice has completely melted (or close to it). While I'm not a PT, I've never suffered a burned tendon or any other possible ailments from the ice cup.
i think 8 minutes is a pretty standard rule of thumb
i cant recall the research at the moment but i have read that 5-7mins is effective. the massage opens up the muscle fibers and allows a deeper effect in less time. i would believe that you can go until the ice is melted but it will not help anymore then 7mins would.
remember, the point of this is not that more is better. once the desired temp of the muscles is reached the extra icing will not help.
with ice bags or buckets i would go for 8-12mins.