As every millennial with aging parents knows, you quickly get familiar with the devices that come with medical recovery. Personally, I’m basically raising two 70-plus-year-olds — and for good measure, an 80-year-old father-in-law — each with their own set of health issues. But there’s one device I’ve seen make a real difference across the board: a cryotherapy ice machine.
Why Cryotherapy Machines Outperform Traditional Ice Packs
Sports injury experts have previously told HuffPost the application of ice can be helpful in reducing inflammation. The issue, though, is how quickly a traditional ice pack can warm up, reducing the therapeutic benefits. That’s where cryotherapy machines — or at-home ice therapy systems — come in. They’re designed to maintain a consistently cold temperature, to help combat inflammation and swelling, for extended periods, sometimes lasting 8 or more hours without interruption.
“Cold therapy machines continuously circulate cold water through a wrap placed over the affected area, providing more consistent cooling than a traditional ice pack,” said internist and Recharge Health advisor Dr. Natalia Sadowski. “The cold causes local vasoconstriction, which can help reduce swelling, decrease metabolic demand in injured tissues, and temporarily slow nerve conduction, leading to pain relief.” Sadowski advised that while the machines are safe to use at home, people should take precaution against excessive use — especially in instances of impaired circulation, neuropathy or general sensitivity to cold.
Personal Experience: A Family Affair
My 78-year-old dad has gone through both shoulder surgery and ACL surgery, and this ice therapy device played a big role in his recovery. (Sadowski confirmed that these devices are “particularly useful after orthopedic injuries and surgeries, where controlling pain and swelling can improve comfort and early mobility.”) When I asked him about it, he said the biggest benefit was not having to constantly get up to swap out ice packs. Many of these machines stay cold for hours, which helped speed up his recovery, reduce swelling, and made the whole healing process a lot more manageable.
The same goes for my 80-year-old father-in-law, who recently underwent knee replacement surgery and has called the ice machine a lifeline in his recovery. Heck, even my aunt caught wind of it and borrowed it for her own hip replacement. Suffice it to say, it’s become a bit of a family affair. At this point, it might even get written into the will before I do.
Top-Rated Cryotherapy Ice Machines
These devices are quite versatile, with prices ranging $100-$220, which is pretty reasonable given the results they provide. I’ve linked a few great options below, including the cold compression unit my family has used. Consider this my gift to my fellow millennials who are also out here raising boomers, too. Bonus pro tip: To keep your ice machine running at peak performance, use frozen water bottles in place of regular ice cubes. It’ll help everything stay colder for longer.
1. Ossur Cold Therapy Ice Machine
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars. This is the unit my parents use — and they’re not the only ones who swear by it. They’ve turned my aunt and my father-in-law onto it too, both of whom now rave about it. Safe to say, this one gets the job done. As for the specs, Ossur's cold therapy ice machine features a whisper-quiet motor and delivers up to six hours of cold compression therapy (although, my folks have used frozen water bottles which has gotten it to last longer). It’s available with six different attachments, depending on your needs, including options for the knee, shoulder, ankle, hip and a universal pad. (There's a slight extra cost for these add-ons.) It also comes with a locking lid and a carrying handle for easy transport.
Promising reviews:
- “This machine is quiet and works great. There was no leaking, it was easy to use and kept the water cold for an extended period of time. The size and weight are manageable for anyone to use. Very happy with this purchase and glad I have it in case any other issues pop up down the road. This is a must have for any type of knee, shoulder or ankle foot injury or surgery. Highly recommend.” — Jamie A
- “In my opinion, it is worth the investment both in regards to aiding in healing by reducing swelling but also cost. It is a bit pricey but well worth the investment, as it can be easily stored and reused. As I have stated before, I've used this device 3 different times.” — Amazon Customer
- “You could sleep in a silent room and this would not bother you at all even when the pump turns on and off since it is so quiet.” — Eric K.
2. Cryotherapy System with Extended Cold Duration
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars. With more than 1,000 units sold on Amazon in the past month, this cryotherapy system holds up to 12 quarts — about eight 16.9-ounce frozen water bottles — allowing it to stay cold for up to 10 hours, which is perfect for all-day or overnight recovery. The system also includes a remote timer with a sleep mode, so you can rest comfortably without worrying about it running all night.
Promising reviews:
- “It’s perfect! After ACL a meniscus surgery I couldn’t survive without it! It’s a must! Love the remote feature you can determine how long on and off” — Stephanie
- “I had this running within 15 minutes of delivery and so far I love this product I felt immediate pain relief so much better than ice packs. I wish I purchased this a month ago when I first got major knee surgery. I know I only had this a few hours but so far it is great it immediately reduced pain on my knee. I used frozen water bottles in the water.” — Robert Agresta
3. Polar Ice Cold Therapy Device
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars. This fan-favorite boasts more than 1,500 five-star reviews and features adjustable on/off cycles, thanks to its integrated in-line timer, which also lets you control the level of cold therapy. Designed for extended use, the 9-quart, double-insulated cooler can hold up to six 16.9-ounce frozen water bottles. You can also choose from a variety of 16 ice pack attachments to target different areas, from a back and hip pad to a foot wrap, full knee pad or even a full-coverage blanket. This unit has your recovery, well, covered.
Promising reviews:
- “Bought this 9 quart Polar Ice cold therapy device for my wife after her knee surgery and she told me to give it 5 stars. The shipping was fast but I still had enough time to put 12 water bottles in the freezer so as to be ready when it got here. I set everything up per the instructions which took about 20 minutes.” — Shumik
- “Polar’s customer service is also top notch! I ask about a different cuff than what came with my machine. Another cuff was immediately shipped to me by FedX the next day!” — Dh
4. Onlycare Cold Therapy Machine
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars. This option from Onlycare is customization central. It features a remote timer with 18 settings, ranging from 10 to 180 minutes, along with six pause intervals (10 to 60 minutes) and four cold intensity levels — allowing you to tailor your pain relief to your exact recovery needs. The 9-quart unit is built with thick, insulated nylon and includes both a shoulder strap and hand straps for easy transport.
Promising reviews:
- “It's quite lighter than the other ones I tried, its SUPER EASY to set up and operate. I was even able to get my elderly mother to use it. It has a lot of options most other units did not have. You can set the timer for as little as 10 mins to as long as 180 minutes! There are 4 different temp levels so insure you find one that works. This has been a game changer for my sore muscles, mostly my knee as well.” — Sasha Klim
- “I’m SO GLAD I bought the OnlyCare Cold Therapy Machine! I just received it today! QUICK SETUP! Add ice, fill with water, strap to body, turn on and let the cold therapy begin immediately! This is so much better than bags of ice that leak, refreezable ice that stays cold for a few minutes and this system covers more body area where the pain is. It stays cold for hours…for as long as an ice chest keeps ice water cold! The more ice you add the longer the water and cooling system stay cold.” — Jason A Daniels
