cold pack

As we are at the peak of yet another bustling school year, it’s important to ensure that you’re prepared for anything that might come your way. 

That’s why having a few instant cold packs on hand is always a good idea – you never know when your students (or yourself!) might need them. There are 49.5 million students in the US and 5.7 million students in grades K-12. That can be a lot of bumps and bruises to heal. As medical device suppliers, we understand the need to have plenty of instant cold packs on hand in case of accidental injuries. 

Rapid Aid is the name you can trust when it comes to instant cold packs. We’ve been manufacturing hot and cold therapy products for over 45 years, and our instant cold packs are some of the best in the industry. Here’s why you should consider stocking up on our wholesale instant cold packs for your school this year:

Perfect for pain relief: Using an ice pack or cold compress on a painful area can help numb pain in the region. Usually, when an injury occurs, the body’s natural response is to release chemicals (bradykinin, serotonin, and histamine) that cause pain. Ice packs help to slow down this process, which in turn, can help reduce pain.

Ease swelling: Ice packs help ease inflammation after an injury. When applied to a swollen region, the ice constricts blood vessels and decreases the amount of fluid that enters the area. This, in turn, helps reduce swelling and speed up the healing process.

Minimize the size of the bruise: Applying an ice pack or cold compress immediately after impact can also help minimize the size and appearance of a bruise. It achieves that by slowing down the amount of blood that rushes to the area, which helps reduce the blood that leaks into the surrounding tissues.

Treat muscle stiffness: Students constantly use their muscles to write, sit on a desk, and move around. This can often lead to stiffness in the muscles, leading to pain. Ice packs can help reduce stiffness in the body, especially when used soon after an injury has occurred.

Reduce the risk of infection: Applying an ice pack to an injured area can also help lower the risk of infection. This is because the cold temperature helps slow down the body’s natural inflammatory response and keep the site clean, which can lead to infection if not properly treated.

Soothe headaches: Headaches are a common complaint among most students (and adults!). Pearl gel eye mask can help to soothe headaches by constricting the blood vessels and reducing inflammation in the head.

Cool down after strenuous activity: Physical education class, recess, and after-school sports are great ways for kids to exercise. However, these activities can also lead to overheating. Applying an ice pack to the neck, chest, or back can help cool the body down and prevent heat exhaustion.

Prevent heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscle spasms that can occur when the body overheats. They’re often caused by dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Ice packs can help to prevent heat cramps by cooling the muscles and helping to maintain hydration levels.

Alleviate pain from sunburn: Unfortunately, students can sometimes get sunburned, even when they’re wearing sunscreen. Applying an ice pack to the affected area can help to soothe the pain and reduce inflammation.

Rapid Aid-Your Trusted Source for Quality Ice Packs

We offer private labeling for all our products. This means you can put your brand on our products, making them unique to your organization.

If you’re looking to stock up on high-quality ice packs, Rapid Aid has a great selection that will suit your needs. Over the years, we’ve supplied countless schools, athletic departments, and medical facilities with our full array of Rapid Aid Products. We have everything you need to relieve any injury, from wholesale instant cold packs, reusable hot and cold gel compresses and instant warm packs.

 Please contact us if you want to learn more about our private labeling options.

For more information about our products or to place an order, please visit our website or contact us at 905-820-4788 today!

When you think of a cold gel eye mask, do you think of women who want to reduce undereye bags and look good? Or frequent tralvelers? Both are great uses for a cold gel eye mask, but there are nine surprising benefits for this versatile health and beauty aid!

A cool gel eye mask is soothing and can safely make many conditions feel better. Here are the benefits of using cold gel bead eye masks from Rapid Aid:

Soothe Eye Pain

Sore eyes from allergies, a headache, or even eye strain from working in front of a screen for too long are common for many people. A cool eye mask can help ease some of the soreness from these activities and even mitigate migraine symptoms.

Better Sleep Quality

Eye masks can help improve your sleep and reduce the health impact of chronic sleep deprivation. Blue light, like that from your phone or computer, is especially disruptive to your circadian rhythm. Instead, apply a cool eye mask to block ambient light and help your eyes rest better so you can enjoy better sleep.

General Health Benefits

Eye masks allow you to get better sleep, which, in turn, helps your body repair from the stresses of the day. You’ll start producing more melatonin, allowing you more sound sleep and helping prevent certain kinds of heart disease. More sound sleep also helps reduce your body’s oxidative stress, which may cause cancer.

Improved Mental Health

Sleeping in total darkness may help give you a mental health boost. Some studies show that depression is linked to light exposure during sleep. Using a cool gel eye mask to block light, you’ll have a chemical-free alternative to medical sleeping aids and may even see some depression symptoms lessen.

Decrease Eye Puffiness

Sleep deprivation, allergies, too many late nights, and general aging all take a toll on the delicate skin under your eyes, creating puffy bags. Luckily, cold gel eye masks can gently reduce the swelling and make you feel – and look – much better!

Reduce Discomfort and Eye Pain

Conditions like meibomian gland disorder (MGD), dry eyes, and Blepharitis may present symptoms like dry eyes or blocked oil glands. A cool eye mask can help improve natural lubrication and unblock oil glands, making your eye condition less painful.

Helps You Relax and Unwind

Nothing feels better after a long day than coming home and placing a cool eye mask over your eyes. You can take 20 minutes to yourself to decompress while the cool soothing gel relaxes the day’s stressors and pressure away.

Boost the Power of your Power Naps

A short midday power nap can help fight off the afternoon slump and boost your mental acuity. You can use the eye mask to block out the light from the day, allowing you to take a catnap to rest and recharge. You may be able to concentrate better on work or school, reducing mistakes you may make when you’re tired or your eyes hurt.

The Ideal Travel Companion

Whether flying cross-country or trying to sleep in an unfamiliar hotel bed, a cool gel eye mask can help you block out unfamiliar surroundings and rest well. Tossing and turning or trying to relax on a plane is hard, but with an eye mask, you can communicate: “do not disturb” and get that much-needed shut-eye.

Choosing the Right Cold Gel Eye Mask From Rapid Aid

Rapid Aid’s gel bead eye masks are innovative and designed for the utmost comfort and health benefits. We use advanced techniques and science-based research to create the perfect eye mask, looking for all the ways that it can benefit people beyond simply reducing puffiness. 

Rapid Aid’s gel eye masks are available as both Rapid Relief brand and white label solutions and are available in any quantity. Contact us for more information about this product and to secure a gel eye mask product for your customers or patients.

There are a bunch of essentials to consider when preparing a baseball team for their big upcoming game day. The list can range from sunscreen to snacks and drinks, but in a sport that is unrestricted to time, athletes can sustain multiple injuries that will call for a readily available solution such as Rapid Aid Instant Cold Packs, which can provide pain relief to those injuries so the ball game can make it to a long-awaited seventh-inning stretch.  

Here are a few reasons why you should include instant cold packs in your seasonal offering to your customers:  

On The Spot Cold Treatment 

Research shows that common injuries for pitchers and hitters are oblique strains and tendonitis, which can occur in the elbow, wrist, finger, thigh, or elsewhere on the body due to repetitive use, causing increased tissue stress and inflammation of a tendon. 

Thus, when baseball players are hitting or pitching the ball using constant high rotational power in their torso, wrist, or elbow, they can benefit from on-the-spot cold treatment or cryotherapy. Applying cold therapy to targeted body parts can help with muscle pain relief and promote faster healing during an injury’s acute phase, decreasing the chances of additional damage.   

The Principles of PRICE 

PRICE principles are the five components necessary to encourage a healthy healing process for our athletes this season.

• P- Protect 
• R- Rest
• I- Ice 
• C- Compression 
• E- Elevation 

While cold therapy is not suited for everyone, such as those with cold hypersensitivity problems or heart conditions, it works to relieve symptoms of acute sports injuries for most athletes effectively.

If performed correctly as soon as the injury occurs, these principles can prevent injuries from worsening and promote a faster recovery after being continued for 24-72 hours.  

Why Rapid Aid? 

With games lasting up to three to four hours, Rapid Aid’s instant cold packs deliver 34°F of cold therapy, no matter where you are, due to its Fold and Pop™ technology for activation as fast as those fastball throws. We also provide heating and icing solutions paired with Gentle Touch™ technology that utilizes non-woven material that can be applied directly on the skin with a wide selection of options to fit each unique injury perfectly.

Rapid Aid can provide medical and retail distributors with cold therapy compression solutions to support your sports medicine, orthopedic, and health/medical facility supplier’s needs. We manufacture a wide range of cold compress products, such as instant cold packs for on-the-spot relief.

Rapid Aid Has The Instant Solutions You Need

Contact us today to learn more about our line of instant cold compression products for any part injured body part. And if your business has private labeling needs, check out Rapid Aid’s white-label solutions.

There is a long way to go before the days of Zoom meetings and long hours sitting in front of the computer will be past us. Thanks to COVID-19, the hours staring at our screens create their own problems. Many of us wake up with tired eyes and deal with eye strain and headaches. One simple, drug-free solution you may not have considered for soothing your eyes is using a gel eye mask.

For days when you need a bit more help with your self-care routine, a therapeutic gel eye mask will help you unwind and relax. Used both for relief from headaches and reducing puffiness and sinus congestion, gel eye masks are perfect for better mornings and brighter days.

What Are Cool Gel Eye Mask?

While sleep masks have been around for years and are commonly used to block out light for lasting sleep, most only provide the ability to block light and help you sleep. It does not, however, help you with migraines and other ailments.

These masks add an extra layer of support by containing a soothing gel that reduces puffiness and dark circles under-eye. Cooling eye mask benefits the sensitive skin around the eyes.

Suffer from migraines?

A cold washcloth on your head and eyes helps, but often the cloth slips from the head and makes the pillow wet. Some masks, such as those from Rapid Aid, provide an adjustable strap that will keep it from falling down your face. Gel mask stays cold much longer than just a washcloth.

Take a nap and wake up refreshed

Are you one of those people who enjoy a short catnap during the day? A reusable cooling gel eye mask for 20 minutes can give you the same benefits as a much longer power nap, boosting your productivity and helping you to wake up refreshed.

The Benefits of Cool Mask

Cooling your gel ice eye mask for eyes is as simple as sticking it in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes before you want to use it. The cool gel ice pack is designed to bring you 20 minutes of soothing coolness. With its placement over the eyes, cheeks, temples, and forehead, masks can bring relief to several ailments. Bring relief to your headaches by slipping on your mask. The coolness can even offer ease for migraine sufferers.

Cold treatments are also a remedy for cosmetic reasons. If you suffer from bags under your eyes due to fluid retention, lack of sleep, allergies, or other causes, gel ice packs for eyes formed to fit comfortably over the area are a natural solution. The cool gel can also reduce the appearance of dark circles. It does this by constricting the blood vessels in the skin surrounding your eyes, reducing inflammation.

The Benefits of Warm Mask

You can also warm your gel mask, but make sure you follow the instructions that come with it. Warm gel masks can bring moisture to the area, relaxing the muscles and allowing water into cells around the eye. This can be helpful for people with itchy, painful, and dry eyes. Warm masks are also commonly used to relieve sinus congestion.

The case for Cold Gel Masks today

Recent events have heightened everyone’s stress levels, adding to inflammation and tension headaches. Remote work and increased video conferencing have made it necessary to spend our day’s working for hours in front of screens.

Now, more than ever, people around the world could use some relaxation. If you want to add some warm or cool relief to your daily routine, get yourself a gel eye mask from Rapid Aid.

Available as both Rapid Aid brand and white label solutions, this product is available in any quantity. Contact Rapid Aid for additional product information and secure a gel eye mask product for your customers or patients.

Summertime is here, and with it comes fun in the sun, vacations, and long, lazy days when the kids are out of school. Despite all the fun summertime holds, there’s also a danger of injuries, from sunburns to insect bites and even being hit with a stray beach volleyball!

Cold therapy is a proven effective method of treating many common minor ailments that could occur during the summer months. Cold Packs are a flexible option for your customers or clients to help assist with their first aid efforts and soothe many of the discomforts of summer. However, we always suggest that people seek medical attention for insect bites, sunburns, and heat stress.

Bug Bites

Mosquito bites and bee stings are among the most common types of insect bites, but spider bites are also common. It is estimated that over 2 million people are allergic to bee stings in the US. Symptoms can range from localized discomfort to anaphylactic shock, which requires treatments with a shot of epinephrine. While some individuals may experience serious reactions to bee stings or spider bites and may need medical intervention right away, others may just have redness and a painful, swollen bump. Hives are also common and a notable allergic reaction. If an individual breaks out into hives after an insect bite, they may need to be checked for a bite allergy. Everybody reacts to the insect’s saliva differently, and some may have a sensitivity to it.

Applying a cold pack to the affected area can help reduce the swelling and pain and even soothe itchiness. First, the affected area should be washed and patted dry, then the cold pack should be placed on the area for 20 minutes and then removed for at least 20 minutes. Repeat as needed.

Sunburns

Even with the best care of applying sunscreen, many people get sunburn. Protective cool gel sleeves may be of special benefit for people who have sunburns on their arms, while an instantly activated cold pack can deliver instant relief after a burn. Sometimes, sunburns blister, so applying cooling gel can help reduce the size and severity of the blisters. As a reminder, never apply a cold pack to broken skin. We always encourage people to seek medical attention if they are concerned for their safety and wellbeing.

Heat Stress and Heat Exhaustion

When people are overexposed to the sun, especially midday, or when they get dehydrated while outside, they may develop heat exhaustion or heat stress. Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or faint while outdoors may indicate heat exhaustion, and your body may simply be unable to cool itself alone. Cold packs, placed on the head, groin, and underarms, help cool the body down and combat the symptoms of heat exhaustion. An instant cold pack can quickly help someone who needs immediate assistance or does not have access to a freezer.

Even if someone isn’t experiencing the symptoms of heat exhaustion, having a cold pack on hand while at the pool, beach, or hiking can help avoid overheating in the first place. Carrying the instant pack in a backpack or pool bag is a great idea for your customers.

Beach Injuries

It is estimated that Americans make over 400 million trips to the beach each year, so while fun in the sun, whether it’s frisbee or beach volleyball, or kids enjoying the beach playground, is a blast, these activities are also the source of a lot of bumps and bruises. Treating a lump or bump with a cold pack is a traditional first aid remedy and will help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Carrying a range of instant cool packs and soothing gel products will help your customers stay safe this summer.

Contact Rapid Aid For More Information

Rapid Aid is a leader in cold therapy products. With over 45 years of manufacturing excellence, our wide range of products can provide relief for everything from sunburns to bug bites and heat exhaustion. We offer our in-house branded solution, Rapid Relief, or can develop a private label for your business. You’ll benefit from our advanced technology and quality workmanship. We create products that will help contribute to the quality and integrity of your brand. Alternative means of pain control may be the future of medicine. Contact us today

Cancer drugs used to fight chemotherapy can cause nerve damage, among other side effects. Studies suggest that cold wraps on the hands and feet may help prevent these debilitating symptoms. Fortunately, science continues to advance, and there are already technologies that can help reduce the impact of chemo on your nervous system and sensitive tissues.

In this article, you will learn about the side effects of chemo, what cold therapy is and how it can alleviate some impacts of chemotherapy treatment. Additionally, you will find out how cold gel slippers and similar cold compress products have become part of the recovery process.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

There are several possible side effects of chemotherapy some, such as peripheral neuropathy which is caused by nerve damage in the extremities, leading to tingling, pain, numbness, and difficulty using fingers and hands. Although there are treatments available for peripheral neuropathy, medical professionals are still looking for ways to prevent it.

Chemo drugs kill fast-growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs travel to healthy tissue throughout the body. As a result, chemotherapy also damages healthy tissues. Cells damaged by chemo include:

• Bone marrow cells that form blood
• Hair follicles
• Digestive tract, mouth, and reproductive cells

Certain drugs also affect the bladder, heart, lungs, kidneys, and the nervous system.

Is There A Way To Lessen The Side Effects of Chemo?

Fortunately, there is a way to lessen the side effects. Cold therapy has been proven to block the full impact of chemotherapy by constricting blood vessels. This minimizes blood flow to prevent chemotherapy from progressing to the area. However, it’s important not to stop blood flow altogether. This can help reduce the exposure of healthy tissues to chemo drugs.

What Types of Cold Therapy Products Are Available?

Cooling therapy uses caps, slippers, and gloves to expose the feet, hands, and scalp to cold temperatures. You wear them during chemotherapy to potentially reduce damage to the hair, nails, skin, and nerves. 

For example, a cooling cap can help prevent hair loss, and wearing frozen socks or cold gel slippers can reduce the likelihood of loose nails as sometimes, nails become infected and fall off due to chemotherapy. Frozen gloves also help with the numbness, tingling, and pain you may otherwise feel in your hands. 

Cold Gel Slippers Can Provide Relief During Chemotherapy

Cold gel slippers can soothe tired feet, but they can also provide comfort to tissues and nerves during chemotherapy. When you put on cold slippers, they shed heat, cooling your feet down and helping regulate the temperature in your tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Anyone who’s ever put a cold compress on their foot after a long day of work may wonder how this process works.

In the same way that gel caps and gloves work, cold gel slippers offer comfort and may help prevent permanent damage caused by chemotherapy. They also reduce bruising and swelling and even help prevent or reduce pain. Cold gel slippers are multi-layered, meaning they are soft on the outside and firm on the inside, providing exceptional comfort during cancer treatments.

Can Cold Gel Therapy Products Provide Benefits After Chemotherapy?

According to a study published by breastcancer.org, 33% of those who wore frozen socks lost some ability to sense warmth. However, 58% of those who didn’t wear frozen socks lost their sensitivity to temperature. This study proved that the statistical differences were significant and were directly related to the frozen sock treatment, not due to chance.

If you would like to know more about cold therapy for the head, hands, or feet, we are happy to answer your questions. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of hot and cold gel slippers during chemotherapy.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. If any of the suggested remedies don’t alleviate your pain, you should talk to your medical provider about your symptoms. It’s important to discover the underlying causes of chronic pain and receive the appropriate medical treatment.

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was created in 1938 to protect the public from dangerous and ineffective drugs. In 1976, the act was revised in order to include medical devices. Under the revision, medical devices were placed into one of three classes based on the level of control required to ensure that they were safe and effective.

The following article describes these device classes, the registration requirements, and the risks involved with buying non-registered devices.

What are FDA Medical Device Classes?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies medical devices into three classes, I, II, and III, depending on the regulatory controls needed to ensure that the products are effective and safe for consumer use.

Class I devices are not intended to support or sustain life or be used for substantial health-related purposes. They also may not pose an unreasonable risk of illness or injury. Class I devices must be registered by the manufacturer with the FDA.

Common kinds of Class I devices include:

• Gel ice packs
• Stethoscopes
• Band-aids
• Hydrogen peroxide

47% of FDA-approved medical devices are Class I, and among those, 95% are exempt from the PMA pathway to regulatory approval.

Class II devices include most surgical invasive devices, like heart valves and contact lenses, with low-to-medium risk. Gloves, magnetic resonating equipment, and needles are also classified as Class II.

What is the Canadian Equivalent of FDA Classes?

Health Canada Certified Products are the first Class of health products. Like the U.S. Class I medical devices, Canadian Class I devices include non-surgically invasive devices and wound care and are low-risk. Class II medical devices in Canada, including most surgical invasive instruments and contact lenses, are considered a low-to-medium risk.

What are the Registration Requirements For Companies?

All medical device manufacturers and companies annually register with the FDA and Health Canada. This process is called establishment registration and applies to all owners or operators of facilities involved in producing and distributing medical devices. The facility’s information is reviewed during the registration process, including all device listings.

A registration fees is collected each year.. Furthermore, medical device companies are required to detail all the devices they make (at each facility if the company owns or operates more than one) and the activities that are performed with each device. The FDA has an extensive, detailed list of where devices are manufactured to increase the country’s ability to respond and prepare for public health emergencies. Health Canada regulations state the manufacturer must be registered under an MDEL license to manufacture, distribute and-or import medical devices.

What are the Registration Requirements for Medical Devices?

Any medical device manufacturer of Class I, II, or III products is required to register the company and products with the FDA to sell or distribute the products in the U.S. legally. These products are listed on the FDA’s Registration & Listing database, and the FDA keeps a catalog of all products it regulates.

Manufacturers of devices that are exempt from regulatory processes, or those that make generic devices, must still register the company and products with the FDA in the appropriate generic category for the devices.

Registration of a device with the FDA means that the FDA is aware of the manufacturer and its devices. However, the device is not necessarily effective for the specific treatment applications that the manufacturer claims. This also means that the manufacturer is prohibited from claiming the device is “FDA approved” or cleared, and they may not use the FDA logo when labeling the device or marketing it.

The FDA administers a program called MedWatch, which monitors the safety of registered devices and products. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and patients can use the MedWatch program to report any medical product or device problems.

The Risks Involved with Buying Devices from Companies Who Are Not FDA Registered

Using a device that hasn’t been registered or cleared with the FDA can be risky. Not all medical devices bought and sold are registered with the FDA. Manufacturers in other countries may not register or list their devices with the FDA, nor do they go through pre-marketing processes. Therefore, the marketing and sale of these products is not considered legal.

Besides the fact that the products are illegal, using an unregistered device could be dangerous for a patient or could harm them. If you’re unsure if a medical device is listed with the FDA, you can search for the manufacturer in the Registration & Listing Database.

Choose Rapid Aid FDA Class I Registered Products For All Your Medical Supply Needs.

Rapid Aid products are FDA-registered and noted to be safe and effective for medical use. Do you have questions about our products or about FDA registration? Contact us today!

Pregnancy and childbirth can be a difficult time for mothers. It is a mixture of pain, annoyances, sheer joy, and beauty for most women. While childbirth is a miracle, it is also filled with pains and aches that include sore feet, the actual pain of childbirth, and an aching back.

Unfortunately, it is also a period of time when women can’t use most of the standard pain treatments they would ordinarily grab without a second thought. NSAIDs are off the table, hot baths are frowned on, and since your skin can absorb chemicals, almost all gels and creams are off the table.

Thankfully, many hot and cold therapy products are safe to use both during the prenatal and postnatal period so that women can find some type of pain relief. Remember, the rules don’t change after childbirth since most women breastfeed, so you need to find a safe and effective pain reliever that is safe for the baby as well.

Headaches, Swollen Breasts, & Nausea Oh My: Welcome to the First Trimester

While nausea and morning sickness are the major issues for most women during the first trimester some also complain of headaches and swollen breasts. Warm and cold compresses are excellent for treating headaches and swollen breasts as your body prepares for your little one. A cold compress, in particular, can be a great option to help relieve nausea while lying down.

The Growing Pains of the Second Trimester

Out of the three trimesters, the second is usually considered the easiest since the morning sickness will pass for most women, and they are not feeling the baby’s full weight on their body. However, women do gain some weight during this period, leading to aching hips, back, hips, and even the groin area. Heat therapy can help relieve casual aching at the end of the day or can be used on sore feet for natural relief.

Nearing the Finish Line in the Third Trimester

The third trimester is usually the most uncomfortable for women. The minor aches from weight gain have become everyday occurrences and can sometimes be tear-producing. Many women complain that their bodies feel out of control and that everything is swollen and uncomfortable. Cold therapy is an excellent way to treat swelling feet or hands, while a warm compress can help with the growing aches. If your back is bearing the brunt of the pain, try using a hot pack on your lower back for immediate, soothing relief. Some of the unluckiest women develop hemorrhoids during their third trimester, but a perineal cold pack is a great way to get relief.

Post-Natal Hot & Cold Therapy

Unfortunately, childbirth does not end the pain of pregnancy; in fact, it is the final number and brings with it an overwhelming amount of discomfort and pain. However, growing studies show that applying heat therapy directly to the perineal area will help reduce tearing and help manage some pain. In addition, using cold and hot packs alternatively during active labor can also help reduce pain for those attempting a natural birth. After birth, hot and cold ice packs are great for soothing pain in the perineal area and aiding with letdown when breastfeeding.

Warming Therapeutic Products for Baby

Mom is not the only one that benefits from cold and hot therapy; baby can as well. An Infant Transport Mattress is an excellent tool to help the baby regulate their temperature when the baby needs to be transported to a NICU or another hospital. When blood work is required, an infant heel warmer can help increase blood flow to ensure that only one prick is needed to obtain a blood sample. Both products are designed to help minimize the risks of medical intervention while the baby is a newborn.

Happy Mom, Happy Baby. Rapid Aid Is Here To Help

It’s clear to see the efficiency of hot and cold therapy as pain management during the pre and post-natal stages. Rapid Aid hot and cold ice packs are one of the only products you can always rely on. Both natural and chemical-free, there is no wrong time to grab an instant ice pack or a heating pack. Rapid Aid proudly offers product solutions that will help a woman from pregnancy through to the end of breastfeeding. For more information on hot and cold therapy products ideally suited for pre and post-partum, please browse our maternity products section or contact one of our sales agents.

 Caution: Do not use hot or cold therapy for more than 20 minutes at a time. Consult your doctor before beginning any treatment options.

Most people get headaches occasionally. In fact, according to the Cleaveland Clinic, over 75% of adults across the globe experienced a headache last year. However, chronic headaches and migraines can significantly impact your life. People generally use prescription medications to alleviate their symptoms and over-the-counter drugs to take the edge off the pain. Yet, some medicine can upset your stomach, causing people to be put off taking medication every time they feel a headache or migraine approaching. Fortunately, non-medication remedies can alleviate the pain associated with headaches and migraines.

Before We Discuss Treatment, Let’s Talk About The Causes

You will likely be shocked to learn that over 150 different types of headaches have been discovered. However, most of them fall into two categories: primary and secondary headaches. Primary Headaches are not related to another medical condition (such as a tumor, infection, etc.), while secondary headaches are. Here is a breakdown below:

As we mentioned before, three-fourths of the adult population suffered from a headache in the last year. This undoubtedly results in absenteeism from work and school, so it’s important to understand how headaches arise and how to treat them quickly and effectively. 

Any of the following can cause headaches:

• Medical condition
• Weather
• Stress
• Menstruation
• Bright Lights
• Alcohol
• Genetic depisposition
• Age
• Physical Activity
• …and more

Prevention is Key

Source: https://emedprimarycare.com/headaches/

A few ways individuals can prevent headaches/migraines or lessen their severity without any pharmaceutical or medical intervention are:

• Eating a healthy diet made up of lots of nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins
• Drinking lots of water throughout the day
• Getting daily fresh air
• Getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night

We know it’s often easier said than done, but these are things that everybody is capable of doing each day.

The graphic below shows different foods, drinks, and medications that individuals should avoid to prevent headaches or migraines. Knowing which item(s) is causing problems can be overwhelming, but it’s likely worth the sacrifice for frequent sufferers.

Cold Therapy: A Nearly 200 Year Old Proven Pain Management Method

You may be surprised to learn that cold therapy has been used to remedy headaches and migraines for nearly 200 years. In 1849, James Arnott, a pioneer in cryotherapy, found that applying a mixture of salt and ice to the affected area significantly reduced the pain caused by a headache. Although medicine and technology have changed at an unbelievable rate, the effectiveness of cold therapy on pain still holds as true as ever. Prestigious organizations such as the National Headache Foundation and the Mayo Clinic recommend ice packs and cold compresses to alleviate migraine and headache pain. In 2013, a study indicated that applying a cold pack to the neck when someone first feels a migraine coming on can significantly reduce pain. Researchers have unanimously concluded that cooling packs help reduce inflammation by cooling the blood flow to the carotid artery in the neck. This process numbs the pain so that the individual can rest or move forward with their day.

Cold Therapy Is Effective, But Sometimes A Little Heat Goes A Long Way

For chronic migraine sufferers, a cold pack serves to constrict blood vessels quickly and reduces the neurotransmission of pain. Contrarily, a heat pack is the best defense for tension-type headache sufferers as the heat increases blood flow to the affected area, which relaxes tense muscles that cause muscle contraction headaches.

What’s the Most Effective Way to Use Ice Packs for Migraines and Headaches?

There are numerous ways that individuals can use hot or cold therapy as a home remedy to alleviate the discomfort of migraines and headaches. For example, apply the cold pack to the affected area for up to 20 minutes to get the most benefit, and where a cold pack is applied makes a difference. For example, if someone experiences all-over pain or aching in their head, using a cold wrap around their neck may provide them with much-needed relief.

Individuals can also try applying an ice pack to the base of their skull, leaving it on for 20 minutes, and then removing it for an hour. Alternating between leaving the pack on for 20 minutes and then off for an hour can significantly reduce the pain caused by the headache or migraine.

It’s important to note that individuals may experience the following symptoms while applying cold therapy, but it is completely normal (and temporary) to experience them: Cold, Aching, Numbness or Burning.

Let comfort be your guide. If the ice pack presents more problems than solutions, don’t hesitate to remove it, mainly to prevent skin irritation.

When Medication Doesn’t Cut It, Rapid Aid Offers 100% Drug-Free and Natural Pain Remedy

With over 45 years of experience in the hot and cold therapy industry, we are experts at producing innovative yet effective products. Our products are used by migraine and headache sufferers all over the world.

For instance, our gel bead eye mask is a reusable product that can help relieve headaches that peak near the front of the forehead or around the eyes. People who suffer from ocular migraines will also benefit from this direct administration of cold pressure. On the other hand, those that get headaches from anxiety and tension in their shoulders will benefit more from the gel neck and shoulder wrap ice pack.

Of course, sometimes people can’t identify the root of their headache, which is where our classic 11-inch ice bag is the perfect tool and easily marketed to consumers due to its versatility. We also have a reusable Hot & Cold Therapeutic Oat Bag that is an excellent option to target consumers who want both heat and cold options in one product.

Start Providing Drug-Free Relief To Your Customers Today

Medical and retail businesses interested in selling natural products that alleviate pain to their customer base should investigate the full range of cold and heat pack products available from Rapid Aid. We are proud to offer private label solutions so that you can create your own branded range of natural pain relievers to feature at your shop or website. Alternatively, if you do not have the volume to run a private label, let us take care of your needs with our in-house, nationally, and globally recognized brand, Rapid Relief, that you can sell on your shelves or through your supply chain.

Contact Rapid Aid For More Information

Using an ice pack is a safe, affordable way to obtain relief from debilitating head pain. Alternative forms of pain control are the future of medical management. If you are ready to embrace the movement, contact Rapid Aid.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. If any of the suggested remedies don’t alleviate your pain, you should talk to your medical provider about your symptoms. It’s important to discover the underlying causes of chronic pain and receive the appropriate medical treatment.