RELIEVING PAIN WITH GEL ICE PACKS – A GUIDE

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RELIEVING PAIN WITH GEL ICE PACKS A GUIDE
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• Usually, hot or cold therapy is suggested by a
  doctor to relieve the discomfort caused by minor
  muscular pains. But when you try it at home,
  things can seem difficult if theres no handy gel
  pack at your house.
• You need to buy proper gel packs that can be
  cooled and heated easily as per your
  requirements. Plus, they must be able to maintain
  the needed temperature for a long time.
• 1. Composition of Gel Ice Packs

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• The gel ice packs are often made from non-toxic
  and high-quality materials. Some common gel types
  contain polymer, hydroxyethyl, cellulose,
  vinyl-coated silica gel or sodium polyacrylate.
• However, the Gel Ice Packs contain filtered
  Canadian water gel thats enveloped in a
  puncture-resistant and high-strength plastic to
  prevent leakage. It maintains the packs
  temperature and consistency for a longer
  duration.
• 2. How Gel Packs Work?
• If we talk about cold therapy, the ice gel packs
  are effective on fresh pains, injuries and aches.
  It helps in constricting blood vessels that
  further slow down the inflammation while reducing
  redness and swelling.
• Besides gel packs, there are many other
  techniques for applying cold therapy. However,
  each one has its pros and cons. But if you are
  seeking something relatively cheap, reusable and
  readily available, gel packs are your best
  option.

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• 3. How to Relieve Pain Using Gel Packs?

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• One can easily use gel packs. You simply need to
  place it in a freezer for around two hours or
  overnight. But you have to keep it lying flat, so
  its easier to mould it as per the injured body
  part. When the gel pack is perfectly flat, you
  can easily turn and twist it according to the
  shape of your affected body area.
• For preventing yourself from ice pack burn, you
  have to apply the gel pack not over 15 to 20
  minutes. You can easily repeat the gel pack
  application various times throughout the day. But
  before you reapply the ice gel pack, you need to
  ensure that your skin gets back to normal
  temperature. When the skin is warm again, its
  best to reapply the ice pack.
• Remember that cold therapy is most effective when
  its applied at the first 48 hours following the
  injury. So, its important to work with it
  rapidly.
• You can also use gel packs for heat therapy. All
  you need to do is place it in your microwave for
  around 15 seconds for warm relief therapy. But
  always wrap your hot pack with a cloth or towel
  before you apply it to your skin to prevent skin
  damage.

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• 4. When Should Your Use Gel Packs?
• Mostly gel packs are applied on fresh injuries or
  acute pain. It includes muscle strains, ligament
  sprains, sports injuries or other bruises. These
  are also helpful in alleviating muscle spasms or
  other types of arthritis.
• You can also treat tissue fatigue, chronic
  overuse, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow and
  patellofemoral pain syndrome with a gel pack.
• 5. When to Avoid Gel Packs?
• Here are certain cases when you should avoid
  using gel packs
• Dont use a gel pack on stiff joints or muscles
• Dont use it on any sort of sensory disorders.
  For instance, patients with diabetes can have
  less sensitivity and may not feel anything when
  damage is done.
• Dont use it if cold therapy was not helpful
  within 48 hours
• Dont use it in case of poor circulation

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• Conclusion
• When you have to ease any fresh injury or pain,
  its best to use a gel pack. Its a great option,
  as it is versatile, safe and effective for
  treating different types of muscle pains. Not
  just they help in alleviating pain but they even
  minimize inflammation while increasing the
  healing process. Just try them the next time you
  feel sudden muscle pain or have any fresh bruise
  or injury.
• Article Resource-https//axizz.com/relieving-pain
  -with-gel-packs-a-guide/