I am totally totally anti-ice! It's evil! When I was in PT when I was around 11-12, they used to literally TIE the icepack to my knee. But I dislike it for more reasons than that sort of torture. It just hurts, and I remember some kind of research about ice being able to cause nerve damage- particularly to small fiber nerves that carry pain info. I can't stand in front of open freezer cases in the grocery store, it bugs me that badly. Have you tried heat pads at all? I am a huge fan of my heat pad. Especially right now as it gets colder. My heatpad, a book on my ipod, and a bit of dilautid and I am a happier camper. And my kitty curled up next to me. (She is the best medicine ever! And the best kitty ever!)

Hope this helps a bit!
Lynns