Sustaining a shoulder injury can be a painful experience and using a shoulder ice pack can be a useful method to provide pain relief and help reduce swelling. Although this type of injury can happen to anyone as a result of a fall, it tends to be more common in sports. This can be especially so in racquet sports, throwing sports and weightlifting where a lot of stress and strain is put on the arms.
A shoulder ice pack is an effective way of providing cold therapy to an affected shoulder and many of these are designed specifically with sports injuries in mind. However they are also effective for the day to day aches and pains that anyone can suffer and if you are prone to these this type of product can certainly help.
Typically ice packs for shoulders comprise two components. Firstly there is a shoulder pack unit which fits over your shoulder and is secured using adjustable Velcro straps. Secondly there are ice inserts which are generally gel filled packs. Before use these must be placed in a refrigerator to let the gel freeze and once this is done they are placed in the appropriate compartments in the unit to provide cold therapy to the shoulder. The ice inserts are reusable and can be used again and again simply by refreezing. These types of ice packs are designed specifically for the shoulder and can provide effective cold therapy to this area of the body.
A shoulder ice pack is also effective in that it can be worn below your clothes and can be kept on all day if necessary. Having two sets of inserts can be a good idea, as while you are wearing one set the other can be in the freezer and these can be continually swapped such that cold therapy can continue for the length of time required. When shopping for these there are a few things to look out for. Make sure the straps on the shoulder pack unit are adjustable to ensure it will fit comfortably and check if there are replacement ice inserts available. Also make sure the unit is made of washable material as this makes it easier to keep it clean and hygienic.
There are a number of outlets where you can purchase a shoulder ice pack and some of these include medical equipment retailers, sports shops and pharmacies. A number of online stores also stock them and a simple model can cost around $20. The price can increase for more elaborate models and can go as high as $80 to $100. Companies that produce these types of ice packs include Pro Ice, Muller and Elite Kold. An example of the product is the Pro Ice shoulder ice pack which retails for around $30. A similar product by Mueller is priced at around $20.
If you are prone to shoulder injury or suffer aches and pains in this area, a shoulder ice pack is something that can help. It is designed specifically for this part of the body and wearing it can help to ease pain and provide some relief.