For ice massage, what is the recommended treatment duration?

• A. 5-10 minutes
• B. 10-20 minutes
• C. 60 minutes
• D. 15-25 minutes

Answer: (B)

Ice massage aims to quickly lower tissue temperature in a localized area to reduce pain and swelling while avoiding tissue damage. The recommended duration is about 10-20 minutes. This length provides enough cooling to slow nerve conduction and achieve analgesia, yet is short enough to minimize frostbite risk. Shorter sessions like 5-10 minutes may not produce sufficient analgesia for many areas, while much longer durations (such as 60 minutes) greatly increase the risk of tissue injury. The 15-25 minute range is less consistently advised and may exceed standard practice for many sites.