Product Description
Why You Need This Reusable Hot & Cold Gel Pack
Get proactive in treating your aches and pains by keeping at least one of our Hot & Cold Therapy Gel Packs on hand. Microwave and freezer safe, this gel pack is convenient and easy to use.
There is so much confusion surrounding this topic, which is unfortunate because RICE treatment combined with therapeutic icing and heating (cryotherapy and thermotherapy) is an effective, affordable, and safe self-treatment option for many common, painful problems including:
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Sprains or strains
- Pulled muscles
- Swelling
Specifically suffering from lower back pain and tightness? Find out why a heated back brace is a good way to get rid of back pain and when heat therapy is NOT the answer.
In order to understand the benefits of cold, hot, and contrast therapy, it’s important to know why and when heat and ice work for pain relief—and when they don’t. Keep reading for more specifics and insight on what type of temperature therapy you should be using.
Ice vs. Heat Therapy: Which Is Best?
Knowing what situations call for heat, and which call for ice can be tricky. Sometimes a single treatment might include both. As a general rule of thumb, use cold for acute injuries or pain, inflammation, and swelling. Use heat for muscle pain, tightness, and stiffness.
When Should I Use a Cold Compress?
When chilled, our flexible ice pack eases discomfort from acute injuries, sprains or strains, muscle soreness, spasms, bruises, swelling, and tension headaches.
The use of ice, or very cold temperatures, in a medical manner is known as cryotherapy. It is effective because it causes your blood vessels to narrow (vasoconstriction). Your muscles contract, inflammation is lowered, and pain signals are reduced.
On the contrary, ice can make muscle tension and spasms worse.
How to Use This Cold Therapy Gel Pack
- Place flattened gel pack in freezer for 4 hours or more. Remains flexible when frozen.
- Wrap in cloth towel or place in compatible brace, then apply to affected area.
- Use in 20 minutes increments or as medically prescribed. Allow skin to warm before reapplying.
- Return gel pack to freezer.
How Does Heat Help Pain & When Should I Use It?
When warmed, our heating pad soothes pain caused by cramping, stiff necks, backaches, and arthritis.
Unlike ice, heat therapy is a vasodilator, increasing circulation by expanding your blood vessels. This increased blood flow draws nutrients and oxygen to the injured area, which aids the healing process and helps your body’s cells get rid of waste products.
Unlike ice, heat can make inflammation and swelling worse so avoid hot therapy when treating an acute injury. Acute injuries are usually the result of a single, traumatic event, such as wrist fractures, ankle sprains, shoulder dislocations, and muscle strain.
Hot Therapy Instructions
- For best heating results, store at room temperature. If gel pack has been in freezer, remove and let it thaw to room temperature before heating.
- Place flattened gel pack in microwave and heat for 1 minute.
- Carefully check temperature, squeezing gel around to distribute heat.
- Reheat in 30-second increments until desired temperature is reached.
- Wrap in cloth towel or place in compatible brace, then apply to affected area. If gel pack feels uncomfortably hot, remove pack from body and reapply once it cools.
Alternating Ice & Heat Therapy
Sometimes, choosing only ice or heat doesn’t provide enough relief, which is where contrast therapy comes in. Contrast therapy involves alternating applications of heat and ice to relieve pain associated with injury or overexertion. With this therapeutic method, you can simultaneously lessen puffiness, promote circulation, and loosen tight muscles.
This is usually achieved with a hot and cold bath, either dunking a limb or even immersing your entire body. However, a similar effect can also be achieved with two of our gel packs. Simply cycle between cold and hot therapy over a 20 to 30-minute period, with each application of an ice / heat lasting three to five minutes. End with an ice pack.
Research shows contrasting is most effective for treating repetitive strain injuries, so the best candidates for contrasting are those who suffer from:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinitis
- Shin splints
- Runner’s knee
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis elbow
5 Reasons Why People Love This Ice Wrap & Heat Pad
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Compatible Back Braces Are Available for Purchase
Looking for hands-free support? This pack can be used alone and wrapped in a towel, but it also can be inserted into the pocket of our Neoprene Compression Back Brace or LSO Back Brace. These braces are specifically designed to provide concentrated cold / hot therapy to your sore or injured back, with the added benefit of compressing and supporting your mid- to low-back. When considering other areas of the body, note that this pack can also be used in combination with an ace medical bandage wrap or an abdominal binder.
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Remains Flexible (Even When Frozen)
Microwaveable and freezer-friendly, non-crystallizing gel allows the pack to remain soft and pliable when heated or chilled, contouring easily around your body’s joints and curves. For increased flexibility when frozen, store in the freezer for less time or allow it to thaw for a bit before use.
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Natural & Safe
Our premium, hot or cold compress is made with the best non-toxic, CMC gel. Natural and odorless, making it safe for all safe ages. Keep in mind that supervision is strongly advised when applying this product on kids, incapacitated adults, or elderly patients.
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Reusable & Durable
Covered in durable, puncture-resistant plastic, our gel pack is easy to wipe clean after every use thanks to its smooth surface.
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Long Lasting for Extended Use
Our hot and cold compress is filled full of medical-grade gel, allowing the pack to remain therapeutically cold or hot for extended periods of time.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Ice Pack & Hot Compress
- What conditions / injuries does this cold or hot therapy gel pack treat? When warmed, our heating pad soothes pain caused by cramping, stiff necks, backaches, and arthritis. When chilled, our flexible ice pack eases discomfort from acute injuries, sprains or strains, muscle soreness, spasms, bruises, swelling, and tension headaches.
- How does it work? Heat therapy works by improving circulation and blood flow to a sore area, soothing discomfort and relaxing tense muscles. Cold therapy works by reducing blood flow to a particular area, which can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain, especially around a joint or a tendon.
- Who can use it? Made of medical-grade, non-toxic gel, it’s safe for all ages. Supervision is strongly advised when applying this product on children, incapacitated adults, or elderly patients. Also, use caution when heating, as the gel can get very hot. Overheating could cause the gel pack to rupture.
- When should I use it? Use ice pack following an acute injury and heat pad for chronic injuries. Always follow your physician’s or healthcare professional’s specific treatment instructions.
- What is it made of? Non-toxic, latex-free gel pack is composed of carbomethylcellulosesodium, water, and glycerol.
- What are the dimensions of this gel pack? At 9 by 11 inches, our reusable gel pack is big enough to cover large areas of your body, such as your back, knee, chest, abdomen, hip, or thigh.
- Cold Therapy Instructions:
- Place flattened gel pack in freezer for 4 hours or more. Remains flexible when frozen.
- Wrap in cloth towel or place in compatible brace, then apply to affected area.
- Use in 20 minutes increments or as medically prescribed. Allow skin to warm before reapplying.
- Return gel pack to freezer.
- Hot Therapy Instructions:
- For best heating results, store at room temperature. If gel pack has been in freezer, remove and let it thaw to room temperature before heating.
- Place flattened gel pack in microwave and heat for 1 minute.
- Carefully check temperature, squeezing gel around to distribute heat.
- Reheat in 30-second increments until desired temperature is reached.
- Wrap in cloth towel or place in a compatible brace, then apply to affected area. If gel pack feels uncomfortably hot, remove pack from body and reapply once it cools.
- Washing Instructions: Wipe gel pack with a damp cloth or disinfecting wipe.
- Other features:
- Microwavable
- Freezer safe
- Non-toxic
- Latex-free
- Reusable
- Flexible
- Color: Blue.