How to Use a Gel Pack?

Advantages: Reusable

                           Relatively cheap and widely available

                           Can be used for both cold and hot purposes

                           Comes in many shapes and sizes depending on the body part

Best Used For: Long-term home treatment of both acute injuries and chronic conditions

How To Use

1. For cold therapy, put the gel pack in your freezer for at least two hours. Make sure they lie flat so that it can mold onto the affected area better.

2. For hot therapy, place the gel pack in the microwave. The heating duration usually depends on the size of the gel pack. Smaller gel packs only take 10 seconds to heat up, while bigger ones take about 30 seconds. Gradually heat the larger packs (10 to 15-second duration, with a few seconds in between) to avoid overheating. 

3. Apply the gel packs onto the affected area for about 15 - 20 minutes. Do not apply for more than the recommended duration. Allow the skin to return to its normal temperature before reapplying the hot or cold pack. 

Notice:

Do not apply hot or cold packs directly onto your skin. Use a barrier like a towel or cloth before using the gel packs to avoid possible skin damage caused by extreme temperatures.