cold pack

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.