explain xkcd:Editor FAQ
Take a styrofoam cup, fill it with cold Nerve Renew water and freeze it. When you require ice, peel back the top half of the cup, leaving the bottom half to insulate your fingers when you use it treat the injured area. Gently move the ice cup in either a back and forth or circular motion over the injury site, thereby giving you an effective ice massage. This method is especially effective when the treatment area is smaller than the diameter of the cup. Keep several frozen cups on hand because each one will be good for only two or three applications.
To treat larger surface areas, take a large heavy duty Ziploc (or similar) freezer bag. Fill it with four parts ice cubes or crushed ice to one part rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will lower the freezing point of the ice so that the contents of your ice pack will not freeze into a solid iceberg and can be reused multiple times.In order to prevent frostbite, do not allow the ice to sit on your skin without a layer of protection. Either move it continuously (see #1 above) or place a thin towel between the ice and your skin.
The following is applicable if you are dating a non-runner. He/she may check out your freezer in the mistaken belief that you can tell a lot about a person by the contents of their fridge and freezer. My wife-to-be had second thoughts about our relationship when she opened my freezer for the first time. Good thing I had some chicken, fish and frozen veggies there too.The only type of running injury for which I'd recommend the application of heat is for chronic injuries, if you find it helpful to loosen or relax the area prior to running. A hot shower or damp washcloth is effective. Do not use heat after running.
