6.5" x 9.5" Cold and Hot Therapy Gel Pack - Reusable Ice Wrap and Heat Pad for Back, Hip, or Shoulder Injury Recovery

Why You Need This Reusable Hot and Cold Gel Pack

Be proactive about pain relief by keeping a BraceAbility Reusable Hot and Cold Therapy Gel Pack on hand. Designed for both microwave and freezer use, this flexible gel pack offers a quick, convenient way to relieve discomfort anytime, anywhere.

There is so much confusion surrounding this topic, which is unfortunate because RICE treatment combined with therapeutic icing and heating (cryotherapy and thermotherapy) is an effective, affordable, and safe self-treatment option for many common, painful problems including:

• Arthritis
• Lower back pain
• Muscle sprains or strains
• Pulled or tight muscles
• Swelling and inflammtion
  

If you’re struggling with lower back tightness, find out when a heated back brace works best—and when it could make things worse.

To get the most out of temperature therapy, it’s important to understand when to use ice, when to use heat, and how contrast therapy may help. Keep reading to explore the benefits of each and learn how to choose the right solution for your pain.

Ice vs. Heat Therapy: Which Is Best for My Pain?

One of the most common questions when dealing with an injury or chronic pain is: Should I use ice or heat therapy? Understanding the difference can help you heal faster and feel better sooner.

While both hot and cold therapy can be effective, they’re used for very different reasons. In some cases, alternating between the two—also known as contrast therapy—can provide optimal relief.

As a general rule:

• Use cold therapy (ice) for acute injuries, inflammation, swelling, or pain that occurs suddenly—like sprains, strains, or bruising.
• Use heat therapy for chronic pain, muscle tension, stiffness, or soreness, especially in the lower back or neck.
  

When Should I Use a Cold Compress?

When chilled, our flexible ice pack eases discomfort from acute injuries, sprains or strains, muscle soreness, spasms, bruises, swelling, and tension headaches.

The use of ice, or very cold temperatures, in a medical manner is known as cryotherapy. It is effective because it causes your blood vessels to narrow (vasoconstriction). Your muscles contract, inflammation is lowered, and pain signals are reduced.

On the contrary, ice can make muscle tension and spasms worse.

How to Use This Cold Therapy Gel Pack

1. Place flattened gel pack in freezer for 4 hours or more. Remains flexible when frozen.
2. Wrap in cloth towel or place in compatible brace, then apply to affected area.
3. Use in 20 minutes increments or as medically prescribed. Allow skin to warm before reapplying.
4. Return gel pack to freezer.

How Heat Therapy Helps Pain and When to Use It

When warmed, our heating pad soothes pain caused by cramping, stiff necks, backaches, and arthritis.

Unlike ice, heat therapy is a vasodilator, increasing circulation by expanding your blood vessels. This increased blood flow draws nutrients and oxygen to the injured area, which aids the healing process and helps your body’s cells get rid of waste products.

Unlike ice, heat can make inflammation and swelling worse so avoid hot therapy when treating an acute injury. Acute injuries are usually the result of a single, traumatic event, such as wrist fractures, ankle sprains, shoulder dislocations, and muscle strain.

How to Use This Hot Compress Pack

1. For best heating results, store at room temperature. If gel pack has been in freezer, remove and let it thaw to room temperature before heating.
2. Place flattened gel pack in microwave and heat for 1 minute.
3. Carefully check temperature, squeezing gel around to distribute heat.
4. Reheat in 30-second increments until desired temperature is reached.
5. Wrap in cloth towel or place in compatible brace, then apply to affected area. If gel pack feels uncomfortably hot, remove pack from body and reapply once it cools.

Alternating Ice and Heat Therapy

Sometimes, choosing only ice or heat doesn’t provide enough relief, which is where contrast therapy comes in. Contrast therapy involves alternating applications of heat and ice to relieve pain associated with injury or overexertion. With this therapeutic method, you can simultaneously lessen puffiness, promote circulation, and loosen tight muscles.

This is usually achieved with a hot and cold bath, either dunking a limb or even immersing your entire body. However, a similar effect can also be achieved with two of our gel packs. Simply cycle between cold and hot therapy over a 20 to 30-minute period, with each application of an ice / heat lasting three to five minutes. End with an ice pack.

Research shows contrasting is most effective for treating repetitive strain injuries, so the best candidates for contrasting are those who suffer from:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinitis
• Shin splints
• Runner’s knee
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tennis elbow

5 Reasons Why People Love This Ice Wrap and Heat Pad for Injury Recovery and Pain Relief

1. Compatible Back Braces Are Available for Purchase

   
   Looking for hands-free support? This pack can be used alone and wrapped in a towel, but it also can be inserted into the pocket of our Neoprene Compression Back Brace or LSO Back Brace. These braces are specifically designed to provide concentrated cold / hot therapy to your sore or injured back, with the added benefit of compressing and supporting your mid- to low-back. When considering other areas of the body, note that this pack can also be used in combination with an ace medical bandage wrap or an abdominal binder.
   
   

2. Remains Flexible (Even When Frozen)

   Microwaveable and freezer-friendly, non-crystallizing gel allows the pack to remain soft and pliable when heated or chilled, contouring easily around your body’s joints and curves. For increased flexibility when frozen, store in the freezer for less time or allow it to thaw for a bit before use.

3. Natural and Safe Pain Relief

   Our premium, hot or cold compress is made with the best non-toxic, CMC gel. Natural and odorless, making it safe for all safe ages. Keep in mind that supervision is strongly advised when applying this product on kids, incapacitated adults, or elderly patients.

4. Reusable and Durable

   Encased in puncture-resistant, medical-grade plastic, our gel pack features a smooth surface that’s easy to wipe clean after every use, ensuring hassle-free, hygienic recovery.

5. Long Lasting for Extended Use

   Filled with medical-grade, non-toxic gel, our hot and cold compress is designed to retain therapeutic temperatures longer, providing consistent relief during extended treatment sessions—whether you're icing an injury or applying heat for muscle tension.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Ice Pack & Hot Compress

• What conditions / injuries does this cold or hot therapy gel pack treat? When warmed, our heating pad soothes pain caused by cramping, stiff necks, backaches, and arthritis. When chilled, our flexible ice pack eases discomfort from acute injuries, sprains or strains, muscle soreness, spasms, bruises, swelling, and tension headaches.
• How does it work? Heat therapy works by improving circulation and blood flow to a sore area, soothing discomfort and relaxing tense muscles. Cold therapy works by reducing blood flow to a particular area, which can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain, especially around a joint or a tendon.
• Who can use it? Made of medical-grade, non-toxic gel, it’s safe for all ages. Supervision is strongly advised when applying this product on children, incapacitated adults, or elderly patients. Also, use caution when heating, as the gel can get very hot. Overheating could cause the gel pack to rupture.
• When should I use it? Use ice pack following an acute injury and heat pad for chronic injuries. Always follow your physician’s or healthcare professional’s specific treatment instructions.
• What is it made of? Non-toxic, latex-free gel pack is composed of carbomethylcellulosesodium, water, and glycerol.
• What are the dimensions of this gel pack? At 6.5 by 9.5 inches, our reusable gel pack is big enough to cover large areas of your body, such as your back, knee, chest, abdomen, hip, or thigh.
• Cold Therapy Instructions:
• Place flattened gel pack in freezer for 4 hours or more. Remains flexible when frozen.
• Wrap in cloth towel or place in compatible brace, then apply to affected area.
• Use in 20 minutes increments or as medically prescribed. Allow skin to warm before reapplying.
• Return gel pack to freezer.
• Hot Therapy Instructions:
• For best heating results, store at room temperature. If gel pack has been in freezer, remove and let it thaw to room temperature before heating.
• Place flattened gel pack in microwave and heat for 1 minute.
• Carefully check temperature, squeezing gel around to distribute heat.
• Reheat in 30-second increments until desired temperature is reached.
• Wrap in cloth towel or place in a compatible brace, then apply to affected area. If gel pack feels uncomfortably hot, remove pack from body and reapply once it cools.
• Washing Instructions: Wipe gel pack with a damp cloth or disinfecting wipe.
• Other features:
• Microwavable
• Freezer safe
• Non-toxic
• Latex-free
• Reusable
• Flexible
• Color: Blue