An ice pack is a great way to relieve soreness and pain, as cold and hot therapies have proven effective in painful conditions. If you are suffering from back or neck pain and do not want to invest in expensive medications or treatments, a DIY ice pack is beneficial in making you feel better and get over all the painful sensations.
You can try these useful tips to improve back health while using an ice pack to get rid of back pain.
How to Make An Ice Pack at Home?
A DIY ice pack is amazing, and the best part is that you can literally make an ice pack at home from already available stuff and do not have to invest in purchasing random ingredients from the store. From cooling down your tired body to recovering from minor injuries, these homemade ice packs are surely a go-to therapy under all conditions.
So let’s find our top favorite ice packs, which you can easily make at home.
Tip: To add more security to your Ziploc bag, you can place your Ziploc inside another Ziploc bag with the zippered side facing toward the bottom.
1. Rubbing Alcohol
We all know that rubbing alcohol has exceptional soothing properties, so most Ziploc ice packs are made with rubbing alcohol as the main ingredient.
- Fill a Ziploc bag with 1 part rubbing alcohol and 2 parts of water.
- To make your ice pack look colorful and fun, consider adding the food color of your choice.
- Now seal the bag tightly, ensuring all the air is removed from the inside.
- Place the bag into the freezer for a good 2 hours.
- The liquid will become a slush consistency, and your gel icepack is ready to heal your body.
2. Liquid Dish Soap
It is yet another simple and easy way to make an ice pack.
- Pour a liquid dish soap inside a Ziploc.
- Leave it in the freezer for two hours.
In this method, the quantity of dish soap does not necessarily have to be exact, but the time frame should be considered necessary. If exceeded for more than 2 hours, the liquid can become firmer and icier, which might not be as ideal as in the other case.
3. Salt
Salt has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, making it perfect for ice-pack use. A simple table salt that is easily available at almost every home can be used.
- Simply put 2 tablespoons of salt and 2 cups of water into a Ziploc.
- Put it in the freezer for several hours.
- You can also leave it overnight for it to freeze completely.
An effective, zero-cost, and homemade ice pack is ready.
4. Hand Sanitizers
We all have hand sanitizers at home, and due to their anti-bacterial properties, they are safe for everyone. Due to the concentration of alcohol in hand sanitizers, they can make an excellent gel ice pack.
- Pour 1 part of hand sanitizer and 3 parts of water into a Ziploc.
- Put it into the freezer for a few hours.
- You can use this ice pack in any affected area but avoid eye contact.
- Freeze it again after use.
5. A Damp Sponge
Using a damp sponge as an ice pack is quite interesting, and only some know that a regularly used sponge can be used effectively as an ice pack.
- All you have to do is to take a clean sponge and place it under water.
- Once it is completely soaked, transfer it to a Ziploc.
- Put the bag into the freezer for a few hours.
- Use this ice pack on the affected areas and refrigerate it again after usage.
What are the Benefits of Using a Homemade Ice Pack?
Did you know cold therapy helps heal an ankle sprain four times faster than without cold therapy? An ice-cold bath may sound a little crazy, but you would be surprised to find its benefits in relieving pain and reducing inflammation.
Cold therapy or Cryotherapy uses cold healing techniques on the affected areas, such as injured or tired muscles, that result from strenuous physical activities.
An ice pack or cold therapy brings several health benefits, from relieving the pain in the targeted areas to relaxing the tired body.
- As a post-surgery recovery treatment, massaging the surgical area with an ice pack greatly reduces swelling and increases the recovery time. Cold therapy can easily overcome the trauma of soft tissues after surgery.
- Certain injuries, including strain injuries, cubital tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and tendonitis, can be treated faster by using an ice pack.
- Athletes or gym enthusiasts take cold therapies to recover from injuries caused due to exercises or weightlifting as it is extremely effective for fast, athletic recovery.
- Cold therapy or ice pack is highly effective in treating headaches or migraines and relieving dermatitis and other skin issues.
Bottom Line
Ice is generally preferable for acute wounds and strains caused during the last few days. In cases where there is obvious inflammation, ice is typically beneficial. Stay away from lying on a heat source after treating the affected or injured area with the homemade ice pack because doing so might trap the heat and harm the skin, possibly leading to a blister or permanent tanning or darkening of the skin.
Cold therapy may provide greater pain relief for some persons, while others may prefer heat therapy. To determine what works best for you, experiment with various cold and hot therapies and find out which works best for you as a pain reliever.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take for an ice pack to freeze?
A homemade ice pack takes around 2 to 3 hours to freeze completely.
For how many hours a gel ice pack can last at normal temperature?
At normal room temperature, a gel ice pack can last for up to 3 to 4 hours.
What is the difference between a cold pack and a heat pack?
A cold pack reduces blood flow in the affected area and reduces swelling, while a heat pack is used to warm up muscles and minimize morning stiffness.
Which is better – ice or heat?
The most suggested method is to ice first and then heat. But always do it after asking your health care practitioner first. Some people are susceptible to ice, while some are to heat. So always choose the method that suits you.
What is an ice pack used for?
An ice pack reduces pain and swelling and treats certain injuries on the skin and muscles.
Emily Smith is a talented content writer, wielding words to create captivating stories and informative articles across a wide range of topics. With a passion for effective communication and a love for research, Emily consistently produces engaging and valuable content. She’s dedicated to conveying ideas clearly and compellingly, making her a sought-after voice in the digital sphere. When not writing, Emily enjoys immersing herself in art, nature, and culinary adventures for fresh bursts of creativity.
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