How to Make a Rice Bag to Relieve Arthritis

Rice Bag Assembly Diagram

Arthritis is a debilitating condition that adversely affects millions of individuals. The disease causes pain and swelling of the affected joints, and although many find relief via drug therapy, physicians often recommend the use of moist heat followed by cold compresses to alleviate pain and swelling. Rice bags are a perfect solution to provide this therapy and are simple to make with a few materials and a rudimentary knowledge of sewing techniques.

Things You'll Need

• 2 men's large tube socks
• and/or
• ½ yard medium weight cotton material
• 5 to 6 lbs dry, uncooked rice
• Needle and thread
• Sewing machine
• Scissors

Instructions

Assembling and Using Your Rice Bags

1. Make two rice bags at a time so you may prepare one for moist heat and one for a cold compress. The tube sock rice bag is the easiest to assemble and requires the least amount of sewing technique. Simply fill each tube sock with rice to the fill line (see diagram), and sew the top shut using a running stitch by hand or using a sewing machine. If you are sewing by hand, you may want to sew across the opening two or three times to insure rice will not leak out.

2. For the large rice bags, cut two pieces of fabric approximately 20" x 12" and fold in half, right sides together (see diagram). Stitch along three sides using a running stitch on the sewing maching as indicated leaving an opening on one end. (The sewn piece will resemble a small pillow case) Turn right side out and fill with rice to the fill line.

   Turn the open edge over ¼" and baste with a running stitch. Turn over again ¼" to ½" and pin closed. Carefully sew the opening closed using a running stitch on the sewing machine.

3. USING YOUR RICE BAGS:
   To make a cool compress, place your rice bag in a plastic bag and store in the freezer. The tube sock rice bag takes a minimum of 1 ½ hours in the freezer and the large rice bag takes a minimum of 2 hours in the freezer. To use, remove from the plastic bag and place on or wrap the affected area.
   For moist heat, place a tube sock bag in the microwave on high for 2 minutes, or a large rice bag in the microwave on high for 3 minutes. DO NOT PUT WATER OR ANY LIQUID ON THE BAG. The grains of rice contain natural moisture when heated. Remove from the microwave and shake the bag a few times to distribute the heat. Place on or wrap the affected area.

Tips & Warnings

• ·Always keep a rice bag in the freezer to insure readiness. These compresses are also useful to have on hand in case of injuries like sprains, to relieve headaches, or in case of heat exhaustion. ·You may want to make both kinds of bags: tube sock bags work great in areas like the back of the neck, around wrists or elbows, behind the knee. The large rice bag is great for lower back pain or for covering large areas. ·You may want to make a "pillowcase" for your large rice bag to keep the bag clean; flannel, plush or other soft material is soothing to the skin.

• Do not use heated rice bags on infants or small children unless directed by a physician. Do not use rice bags on open wounds or burns. Consult a physician.