Ice Therapy – You Can Ice Away Swelling and Inflammation!
Sprains, strains, and just plain pains are a nuisance that most people do not have time to deal with. However, it is something we must all deal with at some point. Often, we have pain in areas that are inflamed or swollen because of an injury. When pain strikes your joints or tendons, you may find relief using cold therapy.
How does it work? Cold therapy works by reducing blood flow to a specific area of your body. This can lessen inflammation that ultimately causes you to feel pain. Coldness can also reduce nerve activity so that you feel less pain. The key is to apply a consistent coldness to the affected area. This is where ice therapy machines are most helpful. They are designed to apply a steady coldness to the “pad”, which can help ease symptoms and pain. For best results, you should only use it for the recommended time and with a tee-shirt or other material between you and the pad.
If you are ready to “ice away pain”, we have the solution you may need. Here are the best ice therapy machines.
Tips: How To Use An Ice Therapy Machine (At Home)
Vive – One of The Best Ice Therapy Machines
List of the Best Ice Therapy Machines
#1. Vive Cold Therapy Machine
The Vive cold therapy machine comes with a cryo-cuff that is flexible and fits many different body parts. It is designed to fit your knee, shoulder, back, leg, hips, and more. As a bonus, it has an extended reach tube and three straps to ensure it stays where you need it the most.
To use, you can choose one of five different continuous flow rates. It is recommended that you use it for up to 30 minutes at a time. It promises to be leak-proof every time you use it and if you are not completely satisfied, it is backed by a 1-year Vive guarantee.
Conclusion: This ice therapy machine is very impressive according to most people. It provides instant relief of pain. The most notable problem is that it does shut off at 30-minutes which could cause problems for some people. You can also check out our list of the best-elevating leg rest cushions to reduce edema and even reduce pain.
- Fits Most Body Parts
- Control Settings
- Long Hose
- Large Pad
- Backed with Guarantee
- Automatic Shutoff at 30 Minutes
- May Be Difficult to Put On
#2. Active Ice 3.0 Knee & Joint Cold Therapy
You can say “goodbye” to the knee and joint pain with this cold therapy system by Polar Products Inc. This cold therapy machine is designed for people who want to heal post-surgery or injury without taking drugs to get pain relief. It comes with everything you need, including a cooling reservoir, digital timer, and knee bladder with compression belts.
The recommended time limit is 30-minutes and there is an automatic shutoff at that time. This protects you from further injury. The bladder is able to fit onto several different areas of the body.
Conclusion: When you are in pain, you want relief quickly. This machine is designed to provide that relief. It provides the icy coolness, works quietly, and is good for people who have gone through knee surgery as long as you have a little help to put it in place. Also, you can check out our guide for the air compression leg massagers for blood circulation.
- Soothes Pain
- Large Tank
- Adjustable Bladder
- Best for Knee but Usable on Other Joints
- Difficult to Connect
#3. Ossur Cold Rush Therapy Machine System
Sometimes it is hard to sleep with pain. If this is a problem you are having, this Cold Rush Therapy System may be the solution you have waited for. It is designed to give you up to six hours of continuous coolness while operating quietly. It works well for post-surgery pain and injuries that cause swelling.
This unit is best used for shoulder pain, but other machines are available if you have pain in other areas. It comes with a large shoulder pad and all hookups to get you more comfortable.
Conclusion: This machine is capable of providing 6-8 hours of uninterrupted coolness. This is impressive. However, you have to make sure that your body part is covered with bandages or some material to protect you from direct coldness for that amount of time. We also have a list of the posture correctors and inversion tables to relieve pain and improve body strength.
- Easy to Use
- Very Quiet
- Extended Use Throughout the Night
- Accommodates Frozen Water Bottles
- May Leak Water
- May Need Extra Pads
#4. Polar Products Active Ice® 3.0 Shoulder Cold Therapy
This cold therapy system has a digital timer and a shoulder bladder. Other bladders are available if you need pain relief in other areas. The ice cooler itself is 9-quarts, which can hold ice for an extended period.
The timer feature allows you to set a time limit as per your doctor’s recommendations. However, it will automatically shut off after 30-minutes, so you may need to reset it.
Conclusion: Overall, this seems like a solid choice for anyone who wants cold therapy. The time limit could be a problem though. One way to handle this is when you are sleeping, if you begin to feel pain, simply turn it back on, but it could be a downfall for some people.
- Keeps Bladder Full of Coldness
- Great Pain Reliever
- Easy to Use
- 3 Adjustable Straps Keep It Secure
- Will Use a Lot of Ice
- Hose May Disconnect Easily
#5. Arctic Ice Cryotherapy Circulating Personal Cold-Water Therapy
Once you fill this machine with cold water and ice, water will be quietly circulated to ensure you are pain-free in all your tender areas. It has a 52″ hose and can work for up to 5-hours. However, it can also be controlled to provide cooling in 15-minute increments.
It has a universal wrap, which means that it can cover most areas of your body where you may be feeling pain. A Velcro strap will keep it in place. It is good for both after surgery pain and pain that comes from chronic injuries. When not in use, the machine should be unplugged and dried out.
Conclusion: A majority of people love this machine because it stays cold longer than an ice pack. We feel that most people appreciate the extended usability of this machine. It gives you the option to relax, pain-free, all night long. Read our complete guide about the best cold massage roller balls.
- Able to Run Up to 5-Hrs
- Universal Fit
- Long Hose
- Easy to Use
- Difficult to Put On
- Pad Kind of Small
#6. Aircast Cold Therapy Ankle Cuff
This ankle cuff has a unique approach to cold therapy by using gravity rather than motorized pressure to circulate cold water to your painful spots. This means you can use it wherever you are without being tied to a power outlet.
Simply add water and ice to the cooler and for up to 8-hours, your ankle can be wrapped in coolness. It is sized as “one size fits most”.
Conclusion: We like that this device is very versatile. The idea that we do not need a power source to use it sounds ideal. However, there are some who are unsatisfied by the fit of the cuff since it does not adjust small enough. Check out our complete guide about the women waist trainer.
- Extended Use
- No Power Supply Needed
- No Motor to Go Bad
- Easy to Use
- Cuff May Not Fit Well
#7. Polar Products Active Ice® 3.0 Shoulder Cold Therapy System
This cold therapy system is designed for post-surgery pain relief in the shoulder. It has a 15-quart cooler, a digital timer, and an on/off switch so you do not have to unplug it each time you stop using it. The digital timer will turn the machine off in 30 minutes. If you need it to stay on longer, simply turn the machine back on and reset the timer.
It is a very quiet machine that promises to be leak-proof. However, the bladder can be detached easily so that you are able to move freely when necessary.
Conclusion: If you have shoulder pain before or after surgery, cold is a great way to lessen the discomfort. Polar Products 3.0 for shoulder, can do an excellent job, according to most people.
- Provides Shoulder Pain Relief
- Cooler is Very Insulated
- Easy to Use
- Comfortable to Wear
- Stays Cold
- Stiff Hose
- May Require Help to Put It On
#8. COOLMAN Cold Therapy System Cryotherapy Machine
The Coolman cold therapy system is a portable ice pack that you can use on your ankles, shoulders, knees, and more. It is designed to stay cold and relieve pain without the hassle of changing ice packs throughout the day. The ice cooler will hold around 7-quarts of water and ice. This provides enough coolness for hours of use.
It has five flow rate settings, which will allow you to control how cold it stays. The average temperature range is from 41-68 degrees. There are also time settings that you can choose from within 30-minutes. You can also see through the bucket, which allows you to keep a close watch on how much water you have available in the tank.
Conclusion: When you have pain, you will enjoy having access to this versatile machine. It works well for a variety of painful areas with adjustable straps. The downside could be that the Coolman requires you to push a button every 30 minutes, which can be frustrating at night.
- Clear Water Cooler
- Adjustable Settings for Comfort
- Universal Fit
- Easy to Use
- Hours of Use from One Filling
- Time Cannot Set for More than 30 Minutes
#9. Polar Products Active Ice Therapy System 2.0
This system is known for providing cool comfort to knees, shoulders, elbows, and more. It is made in the USA and promises quality for all who consider using it.
The 2.0 is quiet and ideal for after surgery care when pain relief is not always easy to get. It has a 9-quart cooler and a five-foot insulated hose. It does have the standard 30-minute time setting, which means it will turn off occasionally. This could cause problems during the middle of the night for some people.
Conclusion: Overall, the 2.0 is a good solution if you want a cooling machine. However, many people opt for the newer 3.0 machines. You will have to decide which may be right for your needs.
- Long Hose
- Lightweight
- Easy to Use
- Universal Fit Pads
- May Be Difficult to Hook Up
#10. Aircast DonJoy Cryo/Cuff Cold Therapy
This very quiet cooling system does not have a motor. It relies on cold water and gravity to provide you with relief. One full cooler of ice and water can keep you comfortable and pain-free for up to 8-hours. To refill the cuff, simply lift the cuff and allow gravity to work. When you lower it again, the water will be chilled all over again.
This device is best used for managing pain, both before and after surgery. However, it can also be used for rehabilitation and other injuries to reduce swelling.
Conclusion: Considering you must buy cuffs separately; this machine should be able to help you with a variety of pain relief options. However, there are some people who feel that gravity does not work as effectively as a pressurized pump and this could be a downside for some.
- Easy to Use
- Lasts for Hours
- Ready in 5-Minutes
- Must Purchase Cuffs Separately
Final Conclusion of Ice Therapy
With each of these ice therapy machines, you will find some pros and cons. They all have one single goal; to help you combat pain and swelling without the need for strong pain medications. In this way, they all work. They all ensure that you do not have to sit with an ice pack over your sore spots and enable you to move around some without it falling off.
From there, you simply have to choose the one that seems to meet your needs the best. If you have arthritis pain, you may want a universal cuff that can be put where you need it the most. If you are having surgery, you may want a cuff that is designed for that area of your body. You may also want to consider if you can live with a machine that turns off every 30 minutes or if you prefer one that lasts all night.
Overall, any of these machines could work for instant pain relief, so the rest is up to you. Our hope is that you will be feeling much better in no time at all.
Tips: Ice Therapy for Shoulder, Knee, or Ankle Injuries/Pain
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