Hot Packs

[NurseNettie]

The hot and cold rules don't really apply much anymore. Most docs tell you to go with what feels good, regardless of the fact that ice reduces inflammation in acute injuries. Ice often causes pain that's intolerable, and anti-inflammatory meds can reduce swelling as well. Heat will increase blood flow, and speed healing in any injuries. Several of the doctors I've worked with will tell you outright- the ice rarely feels good, and will often cause pain because the inflamed areas include the nerves, which are very sensitive to cold.

Obviously, check with your doctor- and ask if you'll cause harm by using what feels good, versus the old "rules"

And, you've already gotten feedback on the hotpacks, but I wanted to add, we use rice filled hot packs at the residence I work at for one of our residents. They do use a lot of rice, but it's easy to make in the size and shape you want, just be sure to use tight-knit fabric, and sew with small stitches. Don't heat for long periods of time in the microwave- start slowly and increase until it's heated enough without burning.

**very important---- be sure the microwave is clean--- any grease or spills will "cook" into the fabric and dry rice, and can catch fire!!! (ask me how I know...)****

 

[Lady Henevere]

I have also heard of these packs filled with barley. Mine have a sprinkle of lavender in them that make them smell wonderful when heated.

 

[freemotion]

The hot and cold rules don't really apply much anymore. Most docs tell you to go with what feels good, regardless of the fact that ice reduces inflammation in acute injuries. Ice often causes pain that's intolerable, and anti-inflammatory meds can reduce swelling as well. Heat will increase blood flow, and speed healing in any injuries. Several of the doctors I've worked with will tell you outright- the ice rarely feels good, and will often cause pain because the inflamed areas include the nerves, which are very sensitive to cold.

Sports injury specialists will still promote ice....and health professionals who aren't so quick to prescribe pharmaceuticals. There was an interesting study that proved that if ice is applied to a sprain/strain type injury within 15 minutes of the injury, healing time is reduced by a whopping 75%. This study was done without the use of meds.

Love ya, NN, but I respectfully disagree.

 

[valmom]

Well, the chiropractor said ice. Personally, I hate ice, but I will take his word for it and try it- the heat was making me feel better while it was there, but wasn't doing anything over the course of days. So, I sit with a cold pack on 20minutes, off an hour for the next 2 days or so. I also got an arnica compound that I'm not sure I believe in (I'm a pharmacist and really don't see how a homeopathic chemical that is diluted a thousand times can do anything) but I'm trying it. Who knows, it may help. I'm not willing to rule out anything at this point. And I did feel better coming out of the office than I went in!

 

[abifae]

The hot and cold rules don't really apply much anymore. Most docs tell you to go with what feels good, regardless of the fact that ice reduces inflammation in acute injuries. Ice often causes pain that's intolerable, and anti-inflammatory meds can reduce swelling as well. Heat will increase blood flow, and speed healing in any injuries. Several of the doctors I've worked with will tell you outright- the ice rarely feels good, and will often cause pain because the inflamed areas include the nerves, which are very sensitive to cold.

That's why I use the same bean packs for cold. I put them in the freezer and it is MUCH less cold than ice. It also fits around areas and is comfy to lie on. And doesn't leak.

lol.

I can't do ice packs. But I CAN do cold packs. Helps tremendously when my spine inflames.

 

[valmom]

Are the frozen beans really cold?? After a day of leaking ice cubes and towels I'm really ready to try something else. And the back does actually feel better when the cold comes off. I'm just tired of being wet. :/

 

[freemotion]

Beans don't stay cold enough to do the job....you either need a gel pack, or ice and water in a ziploc freezer bag....or two just in case.

You need to go through all the following sensations in order for ice to do the trick: Cold, Burning, Aching, Numb. CBAN. If you simply chill the muscle, you will activate trigger points, which are usually a factor in most cases of muscle pain. Just taught that class. Week five. Therapeutic use of ice is week eight!

 

[Farmfresh]

I used swim suit material, rice and some chopped dried mint and made a sinus pack for my hubby. We used it at room temperature. Just the weight and scent helped a bunch with hubbies sinus headaches.

We used a mix of rice and corn to make our hot packs. My MIL had one made of cotton that developed a hole in it. It was spilling corn every where and I took it out to the front porch for the night planning on dumping out the corn and replacing the case the next day. The very next morning we woke up to a little squirrel stealing corn out of the sack. He would look around to see if the coast was clear and then work his fuzzy tail off getting a piece of corn out of the tiny hole. It was so cute we donated that sack to him. An added benefit was that he worked so hard that winter "stealing" that corn he left the bird feeder alone!

 

[abifae]

Beans don't stay cold enough to do the job....you either need a gel pack, or ice and water in a ziploc freezer bag....or two just in case.

You need to go through all the following sensations in order for ice to do the trick: Cold, Burning, Aching, Numb. CBAN. If you simply chill the muscle, you will activate trigger points, which are usually a factor in most cases of muscle pain. Just taught that class. Week five. Therapeutic use of ice is week eight!

but then i can't do it!!! my pain level in my whole BODY increases with ice. everything starts aching and i get a major headache!



i'm such a pain.

 

[freemotion]

Abi, my answer was for the vast majority of people. You, of course, are the exception...... as usual.....