How to Use Medical Cold Gel Packs

If you are looking for a treatment that has truly survived the test of time, look no further than the humble ice pack. Cold therapy has been used effectively across the ages because it is a gentle, simple means of creating a desired change in our bodies to control pain and speed recovery. The more recent development of the medical cold gel pack has made the application of ice more efficient and easier than ever before. Although it is a simple therapy, understanding the proper application of the gel pack is important to using it safely and effectively.

Things You'll Need

• Gel ice pack (frozen)
• Clock or timer
• Velcro strap (Optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Find a comfortable place to sit where you can have the body part you want to treat in a position that the gel pack can rest on easily. You are going to be here for twenty minutes so you may want to get a book or choose a place in front of the television or computer.

• 2

  Place a towel over the area you want to treat, or, many gel packs come with a cloth sleeve to protect your skin from direct contact with the icy cold.

• 3

  Set your timer for 20 minutes or note the time on the clock.

• 4

  Apply the gel pack by draping it over the area you want to treat. If the body part you are treating can not be positioned in a way that gravity will hold the gel pack against the skin easily, you can hold the gel pack in place with the Velcro strap, wrapping the strap around the body part and the gel pack and securing the Velcro fastener.

• 5

  After twenty minutes, remove the gel pack and place it back in the freezer. You can repeat this therapy after your skin has returned to normal temperature. You can use cold therapy several times per day.