How to Use the Hot & Cold Neck Wrap

How to Use the Hot & Cold Neck Wrap

The Hot & Cold Neck Wrap is great for relaxing and relieving pain. You can heat it up in the microwave for heat therapy to relax tense muscles on your neck or back. Or you can cool it off in the freezer to reduce swelling or numb sharp pains. The neck wrap is infused with lavender and other smell-good herbs so that you can smell and feel fresh no matter how you feel. Keep reading to find answers to frequently asked questions about the Hot & Cold Neck Wrap.


What is cold therapy

Cold therapy, also known as cryotherapy, works by reducing blood flow to a certain area of the body (in this case, your feet), reducing inflammation or swelling that has caused you pain. When the cold is removed, blood flow increases and promotes healing. 


What is heat therapy

Heat therapy works by dilating the blood vessels, promoting blood flow and helping sore and tight muscles relax. Muscle pain responds well to heat as it helps reduce muscle cramps and makes it easier to massage out tight muscles. 


Benefits of the Hot & Cold Neck Wrap:

Uses cold therapy to

  • Reduce swelling by restricting blood flow and numbing pain
  • Promote healing through increased blood flow when the cold is removed

Uses heat therapy to

  • Relax and soothe muscles with warmth, a natural relaxant
  • Improve circulation and flexibility by dilating the blood vessels

Uses aromatherapy to

  • Reduce stress, agitation, and anxiety
  • Treat headaches and migraines

How does the Hot & Cold Neck Wrap reduce neck pain or back pain?

The Hot & Cold Neck Wrap uses cold therapy to numb sharp pains, reduce swelling, and promote healing. More effectively when placed in the microwave and heated, the corn and aromatic herbs inside will keep heat in and smell great. The heat will relax the muscles, and the lavender infused material will calm the mind. The cold works by restricting blood vessels, squeezing out deoxygenated blood and, thus, reducing swelling. When the cold is removed, blood flow returns to normal, and oxygenated blood flows back in and promotes healing. The heat works by dilating the blood vessels, promoting blood flow, and helping sore and tight muscles relax.


How do you use the Hot & Cold Neck Wrap? How long should you use it?

To use the Hot & Cold Neck Wrap for cold therapy, place it in the freezer until it is the desired temperature. Remove the wrap from the freezer, and place it on the part of your body experiencing pain. Leave the wrap on the pain to reduce swelling, promote healing, and numb pain. Because it can be harmful to put an ice pack directly on your skin, the Hot & Cold Neck Wrap works perfectly, as it has a layer of cloth separating your skin from the direct cold. We recommend using the wrap for cold therapy in intervals of 10 to 20 minutes so you don’t damage your nerves from direct cold (although, you should always listen to your body as each individual is different). 

To use the Hot & Cold Neck Wrap for heat therapy, place it in the microwave for 30 second intervals until it is the desired temperature. Remove it from the microwave, and place it on the part of your body experiencing pain or stiffness. Leave the wrap on the pain to increase blood flow, promote healing, and release tense muscles. We recommend using the wrap for heat therapy in intervals of 15 to 20 minutes (although, you should always listen to your body as each individual is different). 


How do you make the Hot & Cold Neck Wrap hot or cold?

To make the wrap hot, heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds intervals until it reaches the desired temperature. Do not overheat. To make the pack cold, put it in the freezer until it reaches the desired temperature.


How do you know when to use hot or cold therapy?

Use cold therapy for acute injuries or pain, inflammation, and swelling. Use heat therapy for muscle pain and stiffness.


References

Ingraham, P. (2020). Heat Therapy: The Complete Guide to Treating Pain with Heat. Retrieved from https://www.painscience.com/articles/heating.php

University of Rochester. (2020). Cold Therapy (Cryotherapy) for Pain Management. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=134&contentid=95