I doubt if I would ever do this but it is common for Soccer players to have ice baths after a match or some tough training session. The days of a hot shower after a match seems to be gone. the recovery is faster after ice. Theres a whole heap about it if you Googgle Ice Baths. There is one with a couple of Lady Basket Ball players suffering in ice. Who would maybe care to dip their legs after dancing and come back and tell me if it works.

Ice may be a bit extreme, but we have just returned from an intensive weekend's dancing where many of the dancers were grateful for our advice to bathe their feet and calves with cold water.

I regularly ice my feet after practice sessions - especially if i have any sort of pain or discomfort. Keep a half-litre of frozen water in the freezer at all times. Use a washing up bowl, half full of cold water - throw in the frozen water. Wait 3 or 4 minutes, then insert foot for 10 minutes. Ignore sufferning for last 3 minutes
I've found all this to be beneficial.

I believe heat is ok for chronic conditions, but that ice minimises the damage with new injuries so they recover faster. I don't know for certain.

i cannot do ice baths!!! i love hot steamy showers.

Phil. I have been told that heat causes inflamation. Excercise causes inflamation. Its like throwing petrol on the fire. In the case of an injury heat is aplied three days after, not before.