How to Use Barley Heat Packs

Heat packs are cloth bags filled with various grains like oatmeal, rice or barley. Barley heat packs are used to help soothe achy or strained muscles. Heating the barley heat pack is simple if you know how long to keep it in the microwave. Using the correct technique to microwave the barley heat pack is important, as uneven heating can cause the pack to be cool in some spots and burning hot in others.

Things You'll Need

• Microwave
• Hand towel

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Instructions

• 1

  Place the barley heat pack into the microwave.

• 2

  Microwave the bag for one minute.

• 3

  Grip the barley heat pack using a hand towel and shake it a little to evenly distribute the heat. Place back in microwave if the pack is not warm enough and set the time for one more minute.

• 4

  Remove the bag again with the hand towel and shake it again to evenly distribute the heat. Touch the bag with your hand to make sure it's not too hot before pressing the pack over your sore muscle.