Patent ID: 7399285

Claim:
A method of simultaneously providing an effective massage and a therapeutic hot or cold treatment to an underside surface of a human foot comprising the steps of: a) simultaneously contacting a freestanding ball with both the underside surface of the foot and a rigid surface; and b) moving said foot while maintaining sufficient pressure between said ball and said underside of the foot so as to roll said ball against both said rigid surface and said underside of the foot for a time sufficient to administer said effective massage, wherein said ball is between 1.5 and 2 inches in diameter, said ball weighs between 3 and 24 ounces, said ball does not deform during said massage, and said ball is sufficiently cold or sufficiently warm to provide the user with therapeutic cold or warmth during the course of an effective massage, wherein said ball optionally comprises an aperture and wherein said ball optionally contains a flat face, wherein said ball contains three apertures, wherein each of said apertures runs through a diameter of said ball corresponding to each of the X-, Y- and Z-axes, wherein the diameter of each aperture is about ⅜ inches and wherein said ball is made of a material which a) when submerged in or held under running hot water having a temperature of about 115° F. for ten seconds immediately prior to initiation of said massage will provide therapeutic warmth for at least three minutes during said massage at an air temperature of between 65° F. and 75° F.; and b) when submerged in or held under running cold water having a temperature of about 55° F. for ten seconds immediately prior to initiation of said massage will provide therapeutic cold for at least three minutes during said massage at an air temperature of between 65° F. and 75° F.