GlassyClass on sun 4 nov 01
Something that I found for my Step Dad, he has pain in the lower back and
knees, is a thing called a Hydro-Collator.
It is a very heavy canvas covered heating pad, that has a clay like gel that
is sewn into the canvas in tubes. You put the pad into a pot of boiling hot
water for about 30 minutes, then take it out and wrap in a couple of heavy
towels.
You might think that you would never feel the heat, only the steam will move
through the towels, and warm your sore place very well. He sits with it on
his back and rump for about a half hour, and is then able to move very well,
he tells me thank you everytime he uses it, tells me it works better than
any of the pills, or high tech gadgets that people have sold him.
You can find them at medical supply stores, it is a tool that chiropractors
and massage people use.
Bud
Patti Kratzke on sun 4 nov 01
A quick and cheap alternative to a hydrocollator is a pillowcase or sock
full of rice (dry, uncooked) in the microwave. I took a pillowcase
(don't use a threadbare one), and sewed rows in it (like tubes) to hold
the rice in a flat form. Sew it shut, then nuke it on high for about
30-45 seconds or so per pound of rice. You might need to increase the
time, depending on your microwave and your tolerance for heat, but start
conservatively. I usually end up going 1 minute/pound, but that gets it
very VERY hot - hot enough to cause a nasty burn - so be extremely
careful, especially when it's fresh out of the microwave. It actually
creates a bit of steam. It stays hot a long time, too. Be sure to use a
towel between your skin and the hot pad. Great resting place for cold
feet, too!
Heat is great for chronic pain or long-standing muscle strain, but for
newly strained backs (muscle): ice, ice, ICE, for the first couple of
days. Trust me on this. And as has been said before - EXERCISE! Even
just regular stretching and walking. I took an ambulance ride earlier
this year because I could not even stand up, and whenever I start feeling
lazy about my exercise routine, I just remember being so helpless - it
inspires me to at least do some stretches.
On Sun, 4 Nov 2001 07:44:14 -0800 GlassyClass
writes:
> Something that I found for my Step Dad, he has pain in the lower back
> and
> knees, is a thing called a Hydro-Collator.
>
> It is a very heavy canvas covered heating pad, that has a clay like
> gel that
> is sewn into the canvas in tubes. You put the pad into a pot of
> boiling hot
> water for about 30 minutes, then take it out and wrap in a couple of
> heavy
> towels.
>
> You might think that you would never feel the heat, only the steam
> will move
> through the towels, and warm your sore place very well. He sits with
> it on
> his back and rump for about a half hour, and is then able to move
> very well,
> he tells me thank you everytime he uses it, tells me it works better
> than
> any of the pills, or high tech gadgets that people have sold him.
>
> You can find them at medical supply stores, it is a tool that
> chiropractors
> and massage people use.
>
> Bud
>
>
_________________________________________________________________________
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Patti Kratzke
Kingston, WA
pkpotts@juno.com
Cl Litman on sun 4 nov 01
A recent article said that in a study of 170 people with sciatic pain, a
little over 25% of the people have bacterial infections near the nerve
and when they took antibiotics, the pain went away. The article quotes
the June 23, 2001 issue of The Lancet or www.thelancet.com
Cheryl Litman - NJ
cheryllitman@juno.com
On Sun, 4 Nov 2001 07:44:14 -0800 GlassyClass
writes:
> Something that I found for my Step Dad, he has pain in the lower back
> and
> knees, is a thing called a Hydro-Collator.
>
> It is a very heavy canvas covered heating pad, that has a clay like
> gel that
> is sewn into the canvas in tubes. You put the pad into a pot of
> boiling hot
> water for about 30 minutes, then take it out and wrap in a couple of
> heavy
> towels.
>
> You might think that you would never feel the heat, only the steam
> will move
> through the towels, and warm your sore place very well. He sits with
> it on
> his back and rump for about a half hour, and is then able to move
> very well,
> he tells me thank you everytime he uses it, tells me it works better
> than
> any of the pills, or high tech gadgets that people have sold him.
>
> You can find them at medical supply stores, it is a tool that
> chiropractors
> and massage people use.
>
> Bud
>
>
_________________________________________________________________________
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Janice Alexander on mon 5 nov 01
Yes, Patti, you are right about the ice. I had sciatic pain about a year
ago, and had been putting heat on it for several days. No relief. Friend
told me that ice would be better. Put ice on and within a few hours, I could
stand much better and the pain was going away. By the next day, I was as
good as new. Did not use the heat again. Have been pain free (knock on wood)
since.
Janice in NC
Guy Cousino on tue 6 nov 01
Do not know from whom the back pain issue came, but would like to add just a
small bit of information...
We have a son with Duchene's muscular dystrophy and have been using
something with him that was made by one of the health care aids.
Take a piece of fabric about 18" across and 40 or so inches long, fold in
half ending up with 18" X 20", sew outside edges along the length, and then
down the middle of the length, leaving end open. Fill about 3/4 full with
plain white rice, then sew the ends shut. Place in a microwave for three to
five minutes, depending on your microwave) until somewhat warm. Place over
area of pain. This is re-usable and stays warm for over an hour. The rice
will draw moisture from the air and when heated will provide a warm, moist
heat. Also great for neck, hand warmer, bed warmer, knees, etc. We have
found that a heavy material works best...leg of old blue jeans, canvas or
duck cloth, etc.
Guy from Vermont, home of Addison County clay.
| |
|
