Therapy gel pack: An essential in your Emergency Kit during Covid-19 to treat yourself at home

First it was hand sanitizer shortages, then toilet paper hoarding. Now the lines at the grocery stores are lengthening, shelves are emptying and you may be wondering: Should you really be stocking up right now? And what do you actually need to buy?

Preparing for a pandemic is a lot different than preparing for a natural disaster. As with food, water and other supplies, it is a good idea to keep some home essentials on hand so that you can deal with minor accidents and injuries. The idea here is to make sure that you have what you need in the event of an injury or accident and there is no way you can leave your home.

To help you shop for the most essential in your first aid kit, we sifted through our website to find the most worthwhile product to help you during COVID-19. Our hot and cold therapy gel pack is an excellent item for sprucing up your quarantine zone.

The minor bumps and bruises can transition over to strains, sprains and chronic pains- at this time you will need an added help of a therapy gel pack, or a therapy wrap. Muscle spasms, joint pain, stiffness and even fevers can limit mobility and interfere with physical activities. While medication can be effective at knocking out inflammation, the use of a hot pack or cold pack is a proven solution that can work well too.

Here is an overview of how to use temperature in your healing process- whether to opt for a hot gel pack or a cold gel pack.

When can we use cold therapy gel packs often referred to as cryotherapy?

Cold therapy is one of the simplest, safest, and most effective self-care techniques to treat pain or discomfort in muscles and joints. Cold therapy is used to reduce blood flow by constricting, or closing, blood vessels. Cold therapy can ease pain caused within the first 72 hours of any acute injury, such as an ankle sprain or muscle strain.

During an acute injury, blood responds with inflammation and increases blood flow to the area. This increase in blood flow is what causes any swelling and pain. By using cold therapy, such as frozen ice pack, you can easily reduce the inflammation and pain and ultimately allow your body to heal.

What else can cold therapy be used to heal other than acute sprains and strains?

Cold therapy can be helpful for flaring joints by arthritis, gout flare-ups and even vascular headaches. Bruises, insect bites and repetitive strain injuries such as tendinitis, also respond well to treatment with cold packs.

How to apply cold packs and what to keep in mind?

When you apply cold therapy, you’ll feel four distinct sensations. Immediately after applying, you’ll feel the cold, and then you’ll feel a burning/prickling sensation in the iced area. Next, you’ll feel an aching, which can sometimes hurt more than the initial pain. Eventually, and most importantly, the iced area will feel numb. As soon as you feel numbness, remove the cold therapy. You should apply cold therapy for not longer than 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Before you reapply cold therapy, let your skin return to a normal temperature or back to the aching feeling.

Don’t worry we have got you covered with a variety of therapy wraps so that you can take full advantage of this self-isolation time and live your life to the fullest by doing what you love. 

When can we use hot therapy gel packs often referred to as thermotherapy?

The role of hot therapy is to increase blood flow by dilating or opening up blood vessels. The goal of using a hot therapy wrap or gel packs is to increase pliability, flexibility and mobility of the muscles and joints. Heat therapy is best for chronic issues, such as stiffness caused by arthritis, which bring about feelings of dull and achy pain.

Listen to your body! If the area still appears inflamed and radiating with pain and redness, it is likely too early to apply heat therapy. But if you feel that you have transitioned, then change your therapy treatment plan as well.

How to apply heat packs and what to keep in mind?

Always test Therapy Gel Pack temperature prior to application, especially when using on children. The temperature should be warm to the touch, but not too hot, and never painful. Overheating or prolonged application may cause injury, including burns.  Start applying slight heat, for minor aches and pain, a low setting might be more than enough to reduce pain and stiffness. You can gradually increase the intensity of heat if need be but start slow. There is no hard or fast rule regarding how long to use a heating pack. It all depends on the level of pain and your tolerance to it.

You’ve likely heard all the news about the “panic buying” and hoarding. This is what we want to help you avoid. These are uncertain times, and with news changing daily it is understandable to feel anxious. While it is important to take COVID-19 seriously, don’t “panic buy” and only focus on the essentials that might actually help you. Staying calm right now in the wake of chaos and uncertainty is the best way to put your mind at ease.