Re: Wheat Packs?
 

Got mine from B & M under 2 squid wouldn't be without mine :)
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Re: Wheat Packs?
 

I like mine too. I use mine on my neck sometimes......put it already warmed into the leg of an old pair of tights and tie it(loosely) around my neck to keep it in place.
and they are safer than hottie bottles, they disperse the heat more slowly too.

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

So several people here recommend wheat packs.

I cannot use one because I do not have (and do not want) a microwave oven, and my standard oven is gas.

Many years ago I did have a gel filled neck pack which required heating in a microwave - it did work (to lesser extent) for pain relief, than the Soothanol X2 I use now, but it exploded in the microwave ..... a slimy blue mess.

I got rid of my microwave 10 years ago.

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

I caused a heat pack teddy bear to burst in the microwave as well.

This might sound daft but do you think it would be safe to put a wheat pack in a roasting tin - the old enamel type with a lid - in a gas oven?

I think the only reason they say not to use gas oven is incase the flame touches the material part of the pack.

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

Maybe - but I don't intend to try that.
It could be that the small amount of moisture that a gas flame produces will be absorbed by the wheat and it would go mouldy.

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

When microwaving the instructions said to place a cup of water in the oven as well. I think it is to add moisture.

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

So your original reasoning (re potential fire risk) seems correct

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

What do you do when your brew goes cold? :eek::confused:

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

make a fresh one.

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

I said all I need to say about microwave ovens in the thread-
http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...ood-44964.html

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

Or, it could just be that the water is to absorb any extra power not required so that it doesn't cause the magnetron to burn out by over-heating.(not so much a fire risk, more like a trip to asda to buy a new microwave, even those things are so cheap it isn't worth the effort of repairing them these days.

Gerbil In A Microwave

an oldie but a goody in that link!
:D

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

There are dangers with wheat bags and heating them. There have been instances of fires caused by this and here at home we have charred one or two bags by overheating in the microwave.

I was in Superdrug when a man was buying one and being nosy I asked if there was any warning on the instructions, there was not.

Charring can occur when the wheat gets dry with constant use so at times I wet my hands when I handle ours. Our are now home made with wheat from Sherfin.

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has researched the neurological mechanics of how heat eases pain.

I ask because of my experience in a French hospital in 1980, when I was given an ice pack to relieve stomach cramps.

Pain is usually due to inflammation which generates its own heat, so the application of heat doesn't appear the logical thing to do.

I still prefer my Soothanol X2 which contains DMSO to enable the herbal ingredients to pass through skin direct to the source of the pain

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

Margaret, we used Kaolin Poutices at the hospital......and we used them for all kinds of things...on the medical wards we placed them on the base of the lungs of people who had pleurisy and pneumonia....and it was very comforting.
My understanding of the mode of action for such a practice is that applying heat brings the blood supply to that area......bringing the blood supply brings with it the fighting cells and the cells which clean up infection and inflammation.

it was not a good idea to apply this means of pain relief to any area which was bruised as it increased the bruising....that is when you would apply cold packs.

Heat applied to joints helps the muscles which surround the joint, to relax.......and this in turn makes the joint easier to move and reduces pain.

Now after years in the nursing profession, if there is anyone out there who knows anything different....I'm ready to have my education increased/improved.

Re: Wheat Packs?
 

My findings are not research based, just observations after years of practise.