Ice can be applied by using an ice pack or by soaking in cold water. The purpose
of applying ice may be to decrease pain or to decrease swelling.
If ice is applied to decrease pain, a physical therapist will usually apply
it after you have participated in a physical therapy routine.
When ice is used to decrease swelling, it is usually only used for a day or
two following the injury. However, during rehabilitation you may slightly irritate
healing tissue and ice can be used to stop swelling.
Ice should never be applied for longer than 15 minutes or it can cause other
problems like skin damage. Therefore, most physical therapists would advise
you to use an ice pack that warms up quickly on its own, such as frozen vegetables.