The main reason for using cold packs is as an effective first treatment for muscle or joint injuries and they are basically a commercial version of the traditional ice pack. Sustaining an injury can be a painful experience and using a cold pack as soon as possible can be extremely beneficial in that it helps to reduce swelling and inflammation and this in turn can reduce the pain experienced. It can also help speed up the healing process and cold packs are widely used in the sporting and fitness worlds.
As well as their medical applications they can also be used to effectively cool down on hot days and applying a cold pack can be a refreshing experience when the temperature starts to rise.
Cold packs come in a few different styles, some of which are re-usable and others which are designed to be used one time only. A gel pack is an example of a re-usable cold pack. This is basically a pouch filled with gel which when frozen remains pliable and can be easily applied to any part of the body. To use these, they must first be put in a refrigerator to freeze the gel. They are simple to use however and once thawed can simply be put back into the fridge and frozen for reuse.
Prices for these can vary from around $1.50 for a simple pack such as the Scrip Reusable Gel Pack up to around $20 for larger packs such as the Captain Multi-Purpose Jumbo Gel Pack. Most good drug stores will have a selection on offer and they are also widely available from internet retailers.
Instant cold packs are an example of the one time products and these require no prior freezing. They comprise a pouch with two compartments one which has water and the other which typically has ammonium nitrate. When the seal is broken between the two compartments by squeezing the pouch the ingredients mix and the reaction between the two quickly cools the pack. It can then be used straight away. However with the chemicals in these types of cold packs care needs to be taken and if any leaks occur they need to be disposed off immediately to avoid the chemicals getting on your skin.
The fact that they need no prior freezing and also their speed of use can make them effective in treating an injury quickly and for these reasons they are widely used. They are also available in drug stores and online retailers with prices varying from less than $1 to around $2.50. For example a 24 pack case from Dynarex costs as little as $10 whereas a pack of 2 from Caldera is priced around $5.
If you enjoy exercise or play sports then having cold packs handy can be a common sense idea to help deal with minor aches and pains as well as injuries. They can help you more quickly recover from these and if you live in a hot climate they are a great way to cool yourself down.