While lying on a heated table warmer, a massage is done with either an ice block or cold copper/steel ball. This type of massage can help both acute and chronic ligament and tendon problems. It helps decrease pain, swelling, and inflammation that can result from injury and from some conditions such as arthritis. Following the massage a warm towel is applied. There ae 4 stages to ice massage for a client The first stage is an uncomfortable feeling; the second stage is a stinging sensation; the third stage is burning or aching; the fourth stage is numbness. All stages go very quick.