Can an ice bath really stave off the muscle soreness that can kick in a day or two after an intense workout? Yes, but maybe it's not worth the misery, experts report in a new review.

Elite athletes have been known to plunge themselves into icy baths for about five to seven minutes after vigorous workouts, and some fitness buffs have been following suit. But University of Ulster researchers in Northern Ireland say that while ice baths reduce muscle soreness by about 20 percent, other techniques, such as massage, compression stockings, or even taking a couple of ibuprofen, may be just as effective.