Hot-Cold Packs, Braces

Don't live with pain
Physical therapy helps you help yourself

Medical Supplies

Cold Packs - braces for neck, back and wrist-forearm

Soft cold packs

Neck contour

large size for low back

A soft gel "colpac" by Chattanooga is a great item to have in your freezer. They come in a variety of sizes and are very durable.

OPTP is a reliable company with many years experience with physical therapy supplies

ElastoGel Wraps are not as cold as the colpacks from Chattanooga.

ElastoGel - Wrist

The velcro strap makes them easy to use.

Banner Therapy has a good selection of ElastoGel products
including a pack specifically for the wrist
(remember ice at the elbow will often relieve wrist pain caused by tendonitis)

This provides a bit more coverage for the neck but may be a bit heavy.

direct.empi.com

Elastogel Wrap 4"x24"

This long thin gel pack is easy to wrap the neck, wrist, elbow, knee or ankle.
neck, wrist, elbow, knee or ankle.

This can be worn around the neck like a cervical (neck) collar

direct.empi.com

ElastoGel Wrap - Lumbar

specific for the low back.

Microwave hot packs

Flat electric hot packs are ok for the low back but they are hard to contour around other body parts.
www.ultimatewatermassage.com has a great selection at good prices.
I like the soft (under stuffed) ones because are easier to wrap.

Wrist Splints

This type of splint gives the most support.

You can find a variety of splints at docOrtho.com
or
Breathe Moore Easy Medical Supply 1-877-568-7200

A tennis elbow strap helps relieve strain from tendonitis. (This is a frequent cause of wrist pain)

Breathe Moore Easy Medical Supply 1-877-568-7200

Back supports

A back support should have double closure (see small image) and removable stays.

You can find a good variety at docOrtho.com

or OPTP

All in one - hot cold products, braces, home traction, etc

This site has a full line of quality equipment

www.painreliever.com

OPTP Orthopedic Physical Therapy Products
(888) 819-0121 www.optp.com

Flexaball
(we use Flexaball for stretching and strengthening)

CLICK HERE FOR A DEMONSTRATION
OF POSTURAL EXERCISES USING THE
Flexaball

TIPS: With any equipment you need to know how to use it.

Start slow - see how you feel the next day.
Forget about, " No pain, No gain,"

IF IT HURTS DON'T DO IT

You can purchase foam rollers here. We use the
FR366 - Foam Roller - Round -
36"x6"

Another good site for equipment including Round foam roller -
36" x 6" is:

Body Trends offers a line of products and great advise on use of the products.
Click here for a body trends article on the foam roller.

Back Be Nimble: http://wwwbackbenimble.com

Equipment to help you manage your environment. These people have sorted through the junk & offer reasonable prices.

OXO has a full line of
kitchen / garden /household
products that are easy on your wrists and hands

Great for people with wrist pain or people who don't want to develop wrist pain.

The OXO GOOD GRIPS Jar Opener
is one of my favorites
www.oxo.com

Opening a jar puts a lots of strain on the joints of the hand and wrist. There is a principle known as joint conservation. This means, our joints, like all moving parts, eventually wear out. The idea is don't put extra strain on fragile joints if you don't have to. If you have one of these in your kitchen you can still perform the task (open the jar) with out the strain on your joints. I give the lid a few hard taps with the V shaped end first. This tool opens almost every jar.

TLC (Tender Loving Care)
is a powerful pain control tool.
There are many simple things you can do at home
that help your body relax.

Relaxation is our bodies natural way of letting go of the
tension in our muscles from daily stress and strain.

Ideas include:

listen to soft music ( or a relaxation tape)
take a walk
gentle exercise and stretching
use of heat ( heating pad, hot bath or shower, etc)
lie down and put your legs up for a few minutes

Harriet Carter has good prices on some essential items

A bed wedge is an essential item for reading in bed.

Lying down for 10-15 minutes
with your legs up, on a thick foam surface,
like the leg lift pillow,
is one of the best ways to relax
your low back muscles.