New Therapearl Sports Therapy packs are reusable for hot or cold treatments of aches, pains, swelling and bruising.
Like most sporty people I have various aches and pains caused by general fatigue and also some particular injuries. Just now I have a sore shoulder (computer typing related), an on-going tight hamstring and an on-off swollen right ankle (after I went over it on a hill run a few weeks ago).
Massage (if I’m lucky, courtesy of my qualified sports massage therapist partner), self-massage with a Grid foam roller and yoga keep most niggles in check but occasionally I need to resort to a bag of frozen peas or a makeshift bag filled with ice cubes.
Icing injuries is well known as part of the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate) process. I have been following this for relief with my ankle, which is taking a while to heal after damaging the ligaments. I also find that ice is helpful after an intense sports massage.
Icing can be useful for reducing the effects of lactic acid build up in muscles after an intense training session.
Recently I have been testing a new ice therapy pack called Therapearl. For a cold press you simply pop the reusable therapeutic cold pack in the freezer for a couple of hours.
There are various sizes of bags, including a small rectangle shape, a wrist pack, shin pack, a shoulder shaped bag and a bag that can be strapped on to the lower back.
The bags feel soft and squidgy, kind of like a cushion of frog spawn or tapioca pudding. It’s a strange kind of softness but it is also very good at moulding to the place where it needs to be put on the body – and staying put.
The bags look cool, too. They are a bright sea blue – and do not look at all like frog spawn or tapioca!
The bags still feel soft and cushiony when chilled in the freezer for hours and unlike a bag of peas or ice they do not become wet or soggy as they warm up.
It’s recommended that the bag is used for 20 minutes on bare skin and I have found the coolness to be about right for soothing injuries and relieving swelling. The cold sensation is not as intense or over-bearing as ice cubes in a bag and because the packs stays dry it can be used while sitting on the sofa or bed without worrying about the usual damp/wetness of ice.
The distribution of cold is also very even across the location where the pack is placed.
Cold pack becomes a heat pack
In addition, the Therapearl Sports Therapy packs can be heated in a microwave for heat therapy. This might be used to warm your muscles before heading out for exercise or as a pain reliever, for example for a sore back. I might use one for period pain, too.
You can buy Therapearl Sports Therapy packs from Wiggle, Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy. Priced from £7.19.