![]() ![]() “It probably would thaw out relatively quickly, but a frozen sponge works for short-term icing,” says Dorsey. This will provide both structured and flexible icing options for you as it warms up on your joint. Soak a sponge in water, then freeze it in a plastic bag. These 10 household items will help you make inexpensive ice packs on the fly at home, and as a result, your joints may feel better afterward. Whether a towel, a pillowcase, or paper towel, this will help protect your skin from irritation - particularly if you have decreased sensation due to diabetes or another condition that causes neuropathy (numbness from nerve damage that typically occurs in the hands and feet). You should always have a barrier between an ice pack and your skin, even if your ice pack is homemade. Talk to your doctor about the results so you can make modifications if needed.” ![]() “Rate your pain levels before and after to track how ice is affecting your joints. “Pay attention to how it feels when you ice a joint, especially if it’s the first time you’re doing so,” says occupational therapist Julie Dorsey, OTD, OTR/L, an associate professor of occupational therapy at Ithaca College in New York. You can use ice after exercising - an important part of treating arthritis - to help ease muscle achiness.Ī general recommendation is to ice an area for 20 minutes at a time, but it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting an ice treatment to find out if it’s appropriate for you and how long you should apply cold treatment. Certain DIY ice packs may even work better than some store-bought varieties due to their flexibility, size, or duration of coolness.Ĭold treatment can reduce swelling and help temporarily numb painful arthritic joints, per the Cleveland Clinic. However, if you don’t have cold packs on hand, there are several household items that can double as an inexpensive ice treatment. One common way to do this is by icing your affected joint, which can feel particularly soothing during the hot months of summer. When in doubt, dip in warm soapy water and let dry fully before freezing again.When you live with arthritis, learning how to soothe tender joints is part of everyday life. Rinse after use and then wash when home to keep them pristine and ready for future day trips. Softer polymers are less likely to break when frozen but may tear when thawed. Hard plastics tend to crack over time when frozen. The outer and inner materials that make up the best ice packs can differ greatly. The bigger the pack, the longer that pack will effectively cool. Do you travel often? Are your trips long enough that freezer time matters more than space? Keep in mind that the larger the pack, the longer the freeze time. If you don't need to keep food at a low temperature for as long, you can also use simple, packable ice packs like Fit + Fresh's Cool Coolers regularly to ensure that food is safe and ready to eat whenever you've got time to enjoy.Īssess your needs when it comes to using ice packs. ![]() Top-notch ice packs, like the Cooler Shock, let you keep food and beverages cold for hours or entire days so that you don't have to worry about refrigeration. When it comes to outdoor adventures and entertaining, a solid cooler is just the beginning. ![]()
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