How to use a wheatbag for aching muscles

Lots of my clients use a wheatbag, hotwater bottle or some form of heatbag to reducing the pain of aching muscles.

I don’t want to say too much about the safety of using these things as there are a lot of stories about fires and this is outside the remit of my expertise.  But the main point being – dont use them as a hotwater bottle in bed.

1. The way I recommend their usage for aching muscles, is to put them in the microwave from COLD – NEVER reheat, warm them for the time given on the instructions, as this relates to the size of the wheatbag.
2. Wrap the bag in something like a towel.  (Nice as it may be next to the skin, the wheatbag is in effect still cooking and giving off steam which scalds).
3. Leave it there for no more than 5 minutes,
4. As you start to feel the muscles warm and relax a bit , MOVE the joint or the area gently.  For example the neck:  Rub it then stretch gently.  Don’t overdo it. Looking from side to side, tilting the head.  If it is the back, rub it, then maybe twist from side to side, maybe bend over.   I will always advise my clients of the best ways to stretch.
5. Maybe repeat points 3 and 4 if the pain is very deep.
6. Remove wheat bag from towel and keep the warm towel on effected part to cool down slowly.
7. Try and maintain this movement at intervals throughout the day without the use of the wheatbag.

Other uses for wheatbags include: doorstops, book ends, picnic tablecloth weights…..

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~ by Marian Child on November 12, 2010.