Ice Packs for Back Pain Relief

Simply applying an ice pack is one of the most effective pain relief treatments available.

Common Types of Ice Packs

All the options are effective, so select which works best for you based on personal preference, budget, and convenience.

Reusable Cold Pack or Ice Pack

Many types of reusable ice packs (such as those filled with gel) are available online or at drug stores and general merchandise stores. These cold packs can be kept in the freezer ready for use when needed, and re-frozen after each use. For an inexpensive alternative, reusable cold packs can be made at home.

Homemade Ice Pack

The simplest way to make an ice pack is to simply put the desired amount of ice in a plastic bag (baggie) and squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing it. Some people like to add a little water to the ice so that the bag is not so lumpy.

Here are additional ways to make a homemade ice bag:

• A frozen towel. Place a folded, damp towel in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for ten to twenty minutes.
• Sponge cold pack. Wet a sponge and put it in the freezer. After it is frozen, take it out and put it in a baggie, then wrap it in a sock or a towel before applying it to the sore back.
• Rice. Fill a sock with rice and place it in the freezer, as rice will get as cold as ice but does not melt when used.
• Gel-type pack. Fill a baggie with liquid dishwasher detergent and freeze it – the liquid soap gives the bag the consistency of a gel pack.
• Frozen bag of peas. It is easy to grab a bag of frozen peas or other vegetables out of the freezer, wrap it in a towel and apply it to the painful area.

Watch Video: How to Make 5 Quick and Easy Ice Packs

Disposable Ice Packs/ Instant Ice Packs

Single use cold packs have the advantage of becoming cold almost instantly through a chemical reaction that takes place once the pack is “cracked”. The chemical reaction in the pack allows it to stay cold for an extended period of time while being used at room temperature.

The main disadvantage of instant ice packs is that they can only be used once, making them more expensive than reusable ice packs or homemade ice packs.

Ice Application Precautions

To avoid getting an ice pack burn, be sure to limit application of ice to no more than twenty minutes and do not fall asleep lying on an ice pack.

As with all pain relief treatments, there are some cautions with applying ice and using ice therapy.

Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Instead, be sure that there is a protective barrier between the ice and skin, such as a towel.

• Limit the ice application to no more than fifteen or twenty minutes at a time.
• Ice application should be avoided by patients with certain medical conditions, such as for patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud’s Syndrome, cold allergic conditions, paralysis, or areas of impaired sensation.
• Ice massage and ice application is generally most helpful during the first 48 hours following an injury that strains the back muscles. After this initial period, heat therapy is probably more beneficial to the healing process.

Watch How to Use Ice Therapy for Back Pain Relief Video

For some people, alternating heat therapy with cold application provides the most pain relief.