Cheap and easy hot/cold pack

I've noticed that the one item I can almost guarantee will be in any given freezer in any refrigerator on campus is the ubiquitous ice pack. It makes sense: hours spent at computers, thinking about your project rather than your posture...many sore necks at Microsoft, and many more throughout the world of computer-users, I'm sure.

Cold feels good. Heat can also feel soothing to sore muscles. Combine either cold or heat with a nice distribution of weight for even more relief. And a really cheap and easy way to get that combination is rice.

Yes, rice. And a sock. Long tube sock.

Roll a sheet of paper into a tight cylinder. Stick one end into the (clean!) sock. Let the roll of paper expand to form a funnel into the sock. Pour in dry rice or small beans or seeds. Fill the sock about 2/3. Remove funnel and tie a knot in the end of the sock.

These socks can be stored in the freezer to be used as cold packs, and also microwaved (about 2 minutes) for moist heat. And they can be reused over and over. The dry rice shifts around in the sock as you drape it around your neck, to provide a comforting even weight on the muscles.

Naturally this post is not intended to offer medical advice, and you should always consult a physician for health issues.

Comments

• Anonymous
  February 13, 2006
  That is too funny. <g> We discovered the sock trick a long time ago too....... although never seen the sock frozen!