Homemade gel ice packs - Homemade moist heat packs

Homemade gel ice packs These homemade gel ice packs are more comfortable than a bag of frozen peas, because they mold better to your body without the lumps and bumps. They can be made for under $3. See Ice Packs for Back Pain Relief What you need: 1 quart or 1 gallon plastic freezer bags (depending on how large you want the cold pack) 2 cups water 1 cup rubbing alcohol Instructions: Fill the plastic freezer bag with 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and 2 cups of water. Try to get as much air out of the freezer bag before sealing it shut. Place the bag and its contents inside a second freezer bag to contain any leakage. Leave the bag in the freezer for at least an hour. When it's ready, place a towel between the gel pack and bare skin to avoid burning the skin. Another way to apply ice to the back is by freezing water in a cup, and then rubbing it on the affected back muscles to reduce inflammation. Homemade moist heat packs Heat therapy increases circulation to aching muscles, and provides pain relief. There are two types of heat therapy, dry and moist. Electric heating pads bring a dry heat, which some people find to be less comforting than moist heat. Moist heat packs are less dehydrating to the skin, and they allow heat to absorb better into the skin and relieve pain faster. What you need: Cloth container (sock, fabric) 4-6 cups filling (e.g. uncooked rice, flax seed, buckwheat, oatmeal) Needle and thread (optional, but recommended) Flair (ribbon, fragrant oils; optional) Instructions: Fill your container with the filling. Tie or sew the container shut. Add soothing aromatherapy before you microwave, if you want. Microwave container for 1-3 minutes.