Three tips for applying a gel pack correctly
If you’ve had a bad sprain or a violent impact has caused swelling, if muscle tension is tormenting you, a gel pack is the quickest way to obtain the benefits of cold and heat - depending on the nature of the injury.
Apply your gel pack correctly by following these tips - and avoid these 3 mistakes!
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If you’ve had a bad sprain or a violent impact has caused swelling, if muscle tension is tormenting you, a gel pack is the quickest way to obtain the benefits of cold and heat - depending on the nature of the injury.
However, if you do not know when to use a cold or hot gel pack, you could worsen the situation. In this article we will list the most common mistakes made when using a gel pack - and offer some tips on how to make these medical devices valuable allies.
We were inspired by this article we found on activewrap.com.
Applying a gel pack correctly: here’s how
- Do not apply the cold/hot pack directly on the skin.
If you have been injured and feel pain, what you want is to feel better as soon as possible. Applying a cold or hot gel pack immediately and directly on the skin is not the best solution and, in fact, could cause further damage such as a burn. If exposed to temperatures that are too low or high, the skin can suffer serious consequences. This is why you should always wrap your gel pack in a soft, dry cloth before placing it on the aching area.
- Do not apply the gel pack for too long.
If kept in place too long, a hot or cold gel pack can worsen the situation - yes, this also means the hot water bottle that helps you relax while sleeping. When a cold or hot gel pack is left too long in place it can cause nerve damage. To prevent this, keep the cold or hot gel pack for no more than 20 minutes and allow the body to rest, returning to its normal temperature. If you apply the pack several times a day, make sure you allow the right amount of time to pass between applications.
- Rest up.
When you suffer an injury, in addition to treating it, it is necessary to rest, not forcing or straining the injured part. Knowing how to use a gel pack with hot/cold therapy is not everything if you don’t also consider some rest time in the restorative therapy. If you suffer from a sprain, it isn’t enough to apply a cold gel pack and then keep walking: you need to stay off your feet for a while to heal faster. The human body needs the necessary rest to get its strength back, so consider stopping for a while and, if necessary, raising the aching body part to drain fluids.
In a word, gel packs can be very useful in relieving pain, but they must be used properly to be truly effective.
Do you know how to use your gel pack correctly? For any questions or doubts on the matter, write to the Dispotech team.