Here at the Zim’s blog we recommend using any of our Zim’s Pain Relief Products to help with achy and sore muscles. In addition, using an ice pack can be a helpful and cheap way to deal with aches and pains. However, there can be so tricks to making an ice pack last longer, be more effective and cause less mess than just grabbing some ice from the freezer.

Ice can help ease pain by reducing inflammation from the impacted area. When you exercise the muscles expand and contract and they can become swollen and be very painful. This is why you often see athletes like football players taking ice baths after a hard game. Ice can also be helpful for those with arthritis or even painful gout flare-ups.

Here are some different ways you can make an ice pack:

1. Gel pack- Mix together 3 parts water, 1 part rubbing alcohol and a few drops blue food coloring in a plastic storage bag. Mix the ingredients together. Squeeze out all the air and freeze the bag flat,  You can also use hand sanitizer which is mostly alcohol so has the same effect.
2. Corn syrup– Corn syrup makes a great gel type of ice pack. Use brands such as Karo Light Corn Syrup
3. Dish soap- Much like corn syrup just freeze dish soap for about 2 hours and you should have a flexible mushy consistency great for an ice pack
4. Salt and water- Take 2 tbsp of salt and 2 cups of water, seal and put in the freezer and you have a terrific ice pack
5. Freeze rice- some people use frozen vegetables but if you don’t want to waste perfectly good food than an uncooked rice bag is a great solution that will hold the cold longer than straight water and be less messy

What about you? Have you used any ice pack hacks? We’d love to hear about them in the comments section.

You can find all the Zim’s products at major retailers like Wal-mart, CVS and more. For more information on where to purchase the product check here.