Massage and Ice for Ganglion Cysts

| Modified on Jan 27, 2024
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Massage, Ice
Posted by Lana (London, Uk) on 09/28/2016
★★★★★

I am a classical pianist, so a ganglion cyst on my wrist was not something I could live with for long. I also didn't want to risk infection or a long recovery from surgery. I massaged it frequently, pressing as hard as I could bear, and after less than 24 hours, it popped! The book method, but without risking traumatic injury or damage to the surrounding tissues.


Massage, Ice
Posted by Julia (Charlotte, Nc) on 06/06/2016
★★★★★

I've had a ganglion cyst in my wrist for years and I tried everything... Surgery and it came back, etc.

While a college athlete at Auburn our head doctor had me take a Dixie cup, fill it with water and freeze it.

Once frozen, take the cup out and tear the rim so the ice is exposed and just massage it with a light/medium pressure on the wrist. It was painful but the ice numbed it and you couldn't feel it and it popped! It blew up like a golf ball but the fluid absorbed back into my body quickly and I was good to go almost immediately! I would wear a bandage or compression to help squeeze the fluid out but it would last months and no pain!

I highly recommend this method.


Massage, Ice
Posted by Richard (New York) on 06/02/2013
★★★★★

Had a ganglion cyst on my knuckle on my thumb for quite a while. It did not hurt but was getting larger.

I massaged it with pressure using my other thumb for about 15 minutes to a half hour when I felt the cyst break. The size was reduced by more than 3/4 but there was still something there. I gave it several days to see if it would go away on its own but there was no change. So I once again massaged the remaining portion with pressure and the remaining portion of the cyst broke and it is gone.


Massage, Ice
Posted by Smanga (Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa) on 05/20/2013
★★★★★

I had a ganglion cyst and I massagd it 4 times an hour until it decreasd in size. Then after I put ice cubes on my wrist to ease the swelling and avoided using my right hand for 2 days, then after 2 days I massaged the last remaining liquid out of it. Then it was gone just in 3 days.