- What is the best ice gel pack for plantar fasciitis?
- Video: How to use hot and cold gel packs?
- Types of hot & cold packs you should know about
- What are the causes of plantar fasciitis foot pain?
- Which is better for relieving plantar fasciitis pain: cold or heat?
- How can hot & cold gel packs be used to relieve inflammation in the foot due to plantar fasciitis?
- The best hot and cold gel packs for pain relief
Plantar fasciitis is an injury that causes severe pain in the heel and sole of the foot. It is a very common condition in runners, but obese and elderly people can also develop it.
Cold therapy and contrast therapy are strongly recommended to treat this injury. Therefore, we would like to explain the causes of this condition and show you how to use hot and cold gel packs to relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis.
What is the best ice gel pack for plantar fasciitis?
- Size: S/M, L/XL
- Colours: Green, Pink, Black
- Material: Breathable
- No. of products: 1 pair
- Uses: Rehabilitation and sport
- Stretch fabric
- Various Colours
- Unisex Design
- Several Pockets
- Always flexible
Highest Quality
Several Pockets
Stretch fabric
- Size: One size fits all
- Material: Nylon
- Colours: Green
- Type of adjustment: Sock
- Unit Quantity: 6 Gel Packs
- Quality materials
- 6 Gel Packs
- Hot/cold therapy
- Long lasting
- Not microwaveable
- Large size
The 6 detachable gel packs allow you to combine the benefits of both temperatures for faster results. It can be used by both men and women, as the one size fits all foot joints 360°. The fabric is made of nylon and silk, which helps to maintain elasticity, although you should be aware that these materials are not breathable and accumulate moisture in the foot.
- Breathable material
- 4 long lasting gel packs
- Cold therapy only
You can use this thermal wrap when you are sitting or want to get a good night's sleep, as its design easily adapts to the anatomy of the foot. Thanks to these features you will achieve a faster dilation of the vessels which will help you to reduce the feeling of fatigue in your feet and the appearance of cramps. Please note that the synthetic fabric may come off if the pads are too hot.
- Size: One size fits all
- Material: Nylon
- Colours: Red
- Type of adjustment: Sock
- No. of units: 2 Gel Packs
- Flexible after freezing
- Includes 2 quality gel packs
- One size only
It includes two pairs of different models of heating pads with which you will relieve plantar fasciitis pain, muscle fatigue and tingling sensation. Also suitable for Achilles tendonitis. Place the gel sachets in the refrigerator until the necessary temperature is reached and the blood circulation is stimulated. It may happen that, after several uses, the gel starts to leak out of the seams.
- Adjustable velcro strap
- Breathable materials
- Heat/cold therapy
- Includes 4 Gel Packs
- One size large only
- Bulky design
The soft fabric is comfortable against the skin, which helps to prolong the wearing time. Thanks to the external pocket design you can place the cooling pads directly on sensitive areas to treat Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. Use the fridge to cool the gel packs to the required temperature, but be aware that for some users the cold did not last very long.
- Quality materials
- Inner gel packs
- Heat/cold therapy
- Long therapy duration
- Gentle washing
- One size only
Its structure is flexible, even when you have just taken the product out of the fridge and it is frozen. The size covers a large part of the arch of the foot, which helps blood circulation and relaxation much faster. It can be worn as long as you wish, but please note that it is not recommended for walking, as the sole may wear out quickly.
- Size: One size fits all
- Material: Nylon
- Colours: Black
- Type of adjustment: Velcro strap
- No. of units: 1 Gel Pack
- Heat/cold therapy
- Adjustable Velcro strap
- One size only
It can be used by both men and women due to the flexibility and durability of the materials, which helps to increase wear time. Freeze the cold pack in the fridge or heat it in the microwave and then use the compression structure to generate the necessary support directly on the affected area. Don't miss out on this opportunity, but be aware that the anatomical design may be insufficient for users with small feet.
- Size: One size fits all
- Material: Nylon
- Colours: Black
- Type of adjustment: Velcro strap
- No. of units: 1 Gel Pack
- Machine washable
- Heat/cold therapy
- Not suitable for microwave
The gel pack is suitable for cold therapy and thermotherapy for more effective therapeutic results. By simply placing it in the refrigerator for two hours or in the microwave for sixty seconds, you will achieve the necessary temperature to improve blood circulation. It can be used by both men and women, but please note that the removable pad may be uncomfortable for some users.
- Size: One size fits all
- Material: Neoprene
- Colours: Black and Blue
- Type of adjustment: Velcro strap
- No. of units: 1 Gel Pack
- Microwave safe
- Protective sleeve
- Heat/cold therapy
- Fully adjustable
- Smaller size
- One size only
Simply place in the microwave or refrigerator for the time necessary to achieve the recommended temperature to stimulate blood flow and relax the muscles. Adjust the elastic strap until the necessary compression is achieved to prevent harmful movements of the ankle. It is important to be aware that the material covering the gel pack is not breathable and may cause reddening of the skin.
Video: How to use hot and cold gel packs?
Types of hot & cold packs you should know about
What are the causes of plantar fasciitis foot pain?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue located on the bottom of the foot. This tissue connects the heel bone (calcaneus) to the toes and supports the arch of the foot. It also absorbs and releases the energy generated when the foot hits the ground.
Inflammation of this ligament is medically called plantar fasciitis. This injury is characterised by a sharp pain in the bottom of the foot near the heel, where the plantar fascia connects to the heel bone. The pain associated with this injury usually occurs when walking after waking up. Resting overnight causes the plantar fascia to contract a little, and the pull on it is stronger during the first steps of the day.
As this ligament stretches, the sensation of pain decreases. Pain can also occur after exercise or at the end of the day due to standing for long periods of time. This injury is caused by repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia, which eventually leads to irritation or inflammation of the plantar fascia.
The main causes of plantar fasciitis are:
- Physical activity: Walking, running or standing for a long period of time, especially on hard, uneven or sloping surfaces. This often happens in connection with certain professional or recreational activities. Teachers, athletes (runners, athletes...), ballet dancers, factory workers and many others are prone to plantar fasciitis.
- Inadequate equipment: Wearing shoes with soft soles, ill-fitting shoes or shoes that do not adequately support the arch of the foot.
- Muscle pain: Shortening or straining of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon. It should be noted that wearing high heels leads to a shortening of the gastrocnemius (calf muscle).
- Age: Weakening of the foot tissue due to natural ageing. In fact, people between the ages of 40 and 60 are particularly prone to this injury.
- Obesity: If a patient is overweight, the pressure on the plantar fascia is greater than normal.
- Problems with foot mechanics: A high arch, flat feet or an abnormal gait can affect weight bearing. These conditions lead to increased stress on the plantar fascia.
- Pregnancy or hormonal changes: Hormones can often make the tissue more flexible than normal.
Which is better for relieving plantar fasciitis pain: cold or heat?
The use of high and low temperatures can be part of the treatment for plantar fasciitis. It may even be better to use a combination of heat and cold rather than just one of each. Generally, treatment for this injury also includes rest, painkillers, massage, etc. It all depends on your condition and what your physiotherapist tells you.
So when should you use cold or heat to relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis? Cold therapy should be used for the first few days (about a week) that this condition occurs. Heat has been found to increase the swelling associated with this injury. During this initial period, you should focus on relieving the inflammation and pain, which can be achieved by applying cold.
Below we explain the main advantages of using heat and cold for plantar fasciitis:
Advantages of cold
Cold therapy is often used to treat musculoskeletal conditions. For plantar fasciitis, cold is recommended to relieve pain and inflammation. The main benefits of cold therapy are:
- Anti-inflammatory effect: the use of cryotherapy can reduce inflammation caused by injuries such as plantar fasciitis. The cold produces vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow and therefore swelling.
- Pain relief: cold acts as a local analgesic that significantly reduces pain. Cryotherapy drains the affected area and reduces the pain sensation associated with the swelling. In addition, low temperatures completely or partially block the transmission of nerve impulses associated with pain.
- Reduction of muscle spasms: Cryotherapy relaxes the muscles through the analgesic effect of the low temperatures. It therefore helps to reduce muscle spasms.
Advantages of heat
Heat therapy has great benefits that can help treat musculoskeletal injuries. Although it must be accompanied by cryotherapy for plantar fasciitis, it can be very useful. Its main advantages are the following:
- Accelerates recovery: Heat dilates the blood vessels (vasodilation). This increases blood circulation and thus improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This allows the damaged tissue to heal more quickly.
- Relaxes and reduces stiffness: The application of high temperatures relaxes the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and makes them more flexible. This reduces stiffness and tension in muscles and joints.
- Pain-relieving effect: Heat can relieve pain associated with injuries such as plantar fasciitis. This is due to the relaxing and healing effect of high temperatures.
How can hot & cold gel packs be used to relieve inflammation in the foot due to plantar fasciitis?
Hot and cold gel packs are of great help in treating plantar fasciitis. These packs can be used for cryotherapy and heat therapy for injuries as they can reach both low and high temperatures. We can offer hot/cold gel packs with compression bands that can be comfortably fitted to the foot. In addition, our compresses come with a protective cover to prevent burns.
Here is a step-by-step explanation of how you can use hot/cold gel packs to relieve plantar fasciitis pain:
Cryotherapy
To use the cold gel packs and apply cryotherapy to the affected area, simply follow these steps:
- Place the pack in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
- Take the pack out and check that it has reached the correct temperature. If it is too cold, leave it for a few minutes, but if you want to cool it down further, put it back in the fridge for a while.
- Place the compress on the top of the foot and heel for about 20 minutes.
- You can do this procedure 3 or 4 times a day.
Hot & cold therapy
In this case, you will need two hot and cold gel packs. One of them should be cooled in the refrigerator as described for cryotherapy.
You need to warm up the other one after this procedure:
- Make sure that the compress is at room temperature.
- You can heat the compress in the microwave. In an 800-watt microwave, it is enough to heat the pack for about 30 seconds. If you need to heat it further, put it in the machine at 10-second intervals. You can massage it to distribute the heat evenly.
- The pack can also be heated on the cooker. Bring 3.5 litres of water to a boil in a pot, remove the pot from the cooker and immerse the pack for about 7-8 minutes. You can heat more by putting the pack back into the pot at one minute intervals.
When the pads are now at the right temperature, you can perform the contrast therapy as follows:
- Place the cold pack on the top of the foot and heel for one minute and then remove it.
- Place the hot pack on the same area for about 3 minutes and then remove it.
- Repeat the previous two steps 3 to 6 times.
- Then leave on cold for 1 minute.
- This process should be completed within 20-30 minutes.
Remember that for plantar fasciitis, these sessions must begin and end with the application of cold. This is to prevent inflammation and keep it to a minimum.