Ice

[Derek Simonds]

As of lately it seems I am using more ice for various aches and pains. I also use it preventively when I go on a long run or ride. The biggest challenge I have had is how to hold the ice on the effected area. I have used ace bandages and they work well, I have also used a pillowcase which believe it or not works extremely well.

In the latest issue of USAT times they had a link to these, which I found to be very interesting. A little pricey but I like them.

http://www.petesice.com/orderpage.html

I particularly like the 2002 model top row 2nd over.

[Greg Everett]

for my knees, i use t-shirts that i've cut open (i imagine similar to the pillow case idea). i just stick my ice packs in a plastic bag (since they leak toxic waste), place that directly on the skin, and wrap the t-shirt around it tightly and tie it.

the shoulder area is always a bitch, though. in that case, i think those shaped packs wiith the velcro are the way to do.

also, don't forget ice cups/iice massage for places you can reach.

[Greg Everett]

oh and don't forget to pick up one of these:
http://www.painreliever.com/elastogel_CAP60.html

[Rick Deckart]

Depends on what you want to ice:

if it is a hand or foot, a bucket with water put in the freezer works wonder, use it before the water gets subzero and this will be very immersive and effective. Use a bucket with non-cooled (and not hot) water for a contrast bath.

For shoulders or any other larger bodypart you can build yourself a custom cold applicator either from gelatine or alginate, the stuff the dentists use to make a negative from your teeth. Makeup artists use both materials extensively too. But this is probably to cumbersome for everyday usage, although it works extremely well. Gelatine won't hold forever but can be reused.

Lastly a wet towel placed in a freezer and removed before the towel is frozen works very good too.

To hold an ice-pack inplace on legs or arms, I recommed to cut off a leg of an old long running tight, slip it over the arm/leg/knee and place the icepack inside. This works far better than any commercial solution.

[Scott Kustes]

As one that is currently icing a shoulder, I advise avoiding the cold packs and making your own. A bag of peas works. I'm using crushed ice in a ziploc with a bit of water (water is a better temperature conductor than air). Either peas or crushed ice allow the bag to conform to your body. As for holding it on, I defer to others....my ice sessions are short, so I just use my hand.

[Mike ODonnell]

Cold showers work well for me....I dont ice anything unless I am holding a beer on it....

[kevin mckay]

for elbow tendinitis I cut the toe's off an old sock put the ice pack in the sock and pull that over the area works great. Also old bjj pr any knee pads are even better.