How to Make Homemade Hot Packs

Find pain relief with rice and a sock.

Heat aids promote healing by increasing blood circulation. Blood carries materials to the site of an injury that the body uses to repair the damage. Sprains, arthritis and stiffness can all benefit from the application of heat. Although there are a variety of conveniently designed hot packs available in drug stores, there's an alternative you can make at home in a few minutes. Aside from being quick and inexpensive, it provides a use for the lone sock in your laundry.

Things You'll Need

• Clean cotton crew or knee sock
• Raw rice
• String
• Scissors
• Microwave

Instructions

1. Stuff the sock with rice. Pack the rice loosely enough so the heat pack bends to fit different parts of your body. Leave the topmost 2 inches empty.

2. Shake the sock gently so that no rice clings to the top. Wrap the string around the top of the sock and tie it in a tight double-knot. Cut away all but 1 inch of hanging string.

3. Microwave the hot pack in 30-second intervals. Test the temperature by pressing the pack to the underside of your wrist. Remove it from the microwave when it is comfortably warm.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use this as a cold pack.

• Do not leave the hot pack unattended while microwaving, as it may begin to smoke.

References

• AHealthyMe.com: Ice and Heat Packs
• Tipnut.com: How To Make A Microwave Heating Bag