Using ice for sources of pain has long been very helpful to me. In fact, with a chronic lower back pain problem, I use these "soft" ice packs several times per week and have for years. The biggest challenge in using ice packs is laying on the "brick" which many of them become when frozen. With other brands of ice packs, If you don't have the ice pack perfectly flat when you freeze it, it's like laying on a brick as they freeze in position. Not these Chattanooga Ice Packs. They remain flexible and you can easily contour them to fit over your shoulder, over an arm or leg or whatever shape you need. Also, the other ice packs often start to "leak" this slimy brown gunk once they rupture their exterior and all of the other brands I have tried did rupture, some faster than others. These Chattanooga Ice Packs which I have used for YEARS remain sealed and just as they were when new. Do yourself a favor and buy these Chattanooga Ice packs. I like the largest ice packs, which are very large for an ice pack and easily will cover your entire lower back. Or with the largest size ice pack which I think is 18" x 22", you can wrap around your shoulder and these are large enough to stay in place as they drape over the front and back shoulder and hang down. This allows me to put it under a sweat shirt and "wear" the ice pack while doing other things in the house. Sure, it slides around some with movement, but its better than others I have tried. The ONLY downside to this style of ice pack is they thaw more quickly than those ice packs which do freeze solid. But these ice packs easily last the 30 to 45 minutes I desire to use them. Most medical experts tell you to not use ice packs for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time, so these certainly last that long. The fact that they "warm up" faster than the type which freeze solid is simply a reality of the product inside these packs which remains pliable when you are using these. Recently, I have ordered these ice packs for our dog groomer, who is having back problems as well as for a neighbor, who is having neck issues. Both of them LOVED the soft and pliable benefits of these ice packs and found them very helpful. As someone who lives with pain, I will do whatever I can to help other find relief from the pain as I know how unpleasant the pain is and how it diminishes your quality of life. Please note, these are NOT to be used in the Microwave and heated as a warming pad. These are ice packs and when used as intended, there isn't a better product on the market. I know, because I have looked for years and tried dozens of different things....... Yes, these cost more than other choices, but the quality will outlast the lower cost ice packs. In fact, I am using the original Chattanooga Ice packs I bought many years ago. All of the cheaper versions have been long thrown away after they leaked that brown goo many contain............. We walk everyday, rain or shine with our K9 kids. My German Shepherd is now a senior and in the summer heat, she gets pretty warm while walking. The moment we get home, I grab the large ice pack and she LOVES to lay on it, to help cool herself down. She lays right on top of the ice pack, which I put a towel under it. If it didn't feel good, she wouldn't use it. The cover on this product is tough enough for her to lay on and even when she has stepped on it, she hasn't damaged the ice pack. Another less expensive version I tried, she poked holes in with her toe nails, which are kept trimmed. With this Chattanooga brand, not a problem. And Yes, I let her use my large ice packs because after all, she is my buddy........ If you need an ice pack, this is the one to buy. Just pick the size and shape to best meet your needs.............You won't regret spending a little extra for this product. Its worth it, it works that well.................
