Have you tried a Chattanooga ice pack? In this review, I will take a look at these highly rated, reusable ice packs and see how they stack up. Let’s dive into what makes a good pack and the things you should look for.
My background with ice therapy
I have been dealing with back problems for about 20 years. I had back surgery in 1999 and have had numerous setbacks since then. A few years ago I suffered a pretty severe injury doing things at the gym that a guy with a bad back shouldn’t be doing.
I sprained my SI joint, blew a disc and ended up with lumbar spinal stenosis. Stenosis kept me bent over at the waist about 30 degrees. I was working with a chiropractor, and I had to ice my lower back multiple times per day for about 6 weeks. The swelling was pretty severe, so this required a lot of icing to reduce the swelling so that adjustments could be made.
Anyway, the gist of the story is I had to do a lot of icing on my lower back. I was icing 5-8 times per day, for about 15 minutes per session. The best way for me to ice my lower back was to lay on top of an ice pack. This way I could lay on the floor, with my legs propped up on an ottoman to maintain my stenosis position. When I started out, I was using a plastic bag with ice. I quickly realized the ice cubes poking into my lower back was not ideal. That’s when I decide to invest in an excellent reusable ice pack or two in my case.
What makes a good ice pack?
- Durable – Of course you want an ice pack to last for a long time. Ideally, you can just leave the ice pack in the freezer and have it ready whenever you need it. These packs will be frozen and thawed out a lot over their lifetime, so finding a quality product is critical.
- Pliable – An ice pack needs to be pliable so it will fit the contours of your body. The last thing you want is an ice pack that is stiff as a board. The pack should be pliable when it’s frozen.
- Freezes fast – I have found that different brands will freeze faster than others, so make sure the pack will be ready when you need it.
- Long lasting – This goes along with durability. Ideally, you want to buy an ice pack that can be used over and over again.
- Doesn’t leak – I have owned ice packs that after a few uses, have started leaking gel, so this is something to keep in mind.
Chattanooga ice pack
- Designed especially for heavy clinic use in cold therapy, choose from seven blue vinyl sizes and four black polyurethane sizes, to ensure effective cold therapy for any body area or shape
- ColPac provides effective relief of pain from cold therapy
- ColPacs filled with non-toxic silica gel that will remain pliable throughout treatment
- Delivers up to 30 minutes of cold therapy soothing relief from acute pain, swelling and fever
- One year warranty
Ice therapy
Ice is a pretty common thing to use to reduce swelling when people are dealing with an injury. Athletes also use ice (or even ice baths) after competition or a strenuous workout. The theory is that ice will help to constrict blood vessels, get rid of waste and reduce swelling [1]. With an ice pack, you can localize the treatment to a specific area. Not everyone has the need or desired to hop in an ice bath after a workout. Icing is not just for injuries.
Variety of sizes
The Chattanooga ice pack comes in a variety of sizes so you may want to pick up one, or a couple of them depending on your needs. I recommend buying two, so you can always have at least one of them ready to go in the freezer.
Sizes include:
- Half-Size 6.5” x ”
- Standard 13.5” x ”
- Neck Contour 21”
- Oversize 18.5” x 5.”
I prefer larger ice packs because I can use them on my low back and it covers a lot of area. The larger sizes give you more flexibility for using them on all your body parts.
Construction
These packs are well constructed which helps to prevent leaks. You can use them over and over again, and they will remain durable. Freezing and thawing over time can stress some materials, but these are well made.
Keep one in the freezer ready to go
As I mentioned earlier, I like to have a couple of ice packs on hand and rotate them in and out of the freezer. This way I have an ice pack ready at all times.
How to use
They say not to use on bare skin, and I agree. I do prefer a thin layer like a pillowcase versus something thicker like a towel.
Conclusion: Chattanooga Ice Pack
These ice packs have exceptional customer ratings and are an excellent value. Sure, it’s just an ice pack, but I think these are a perfect option. I like the fact there are a variety of size options to choose from.
I hope this review has been helpful, and you are able to make an informed decision. There are several links below to choose the option that works best for you.
Thanks for taking some time to stop by.
- Patented design of the Chattanooga colpac gently delivers soothing cold therapy and stays pliable during treatment
- Provides instant pain relief to treat fever, bruises, sprains, strains, and helps to manage swelling
- Each cold therapy pack is latex-free and is filled with non-toxic silica gel, so it's safe for all ages to use
- Simply apply immediately after an injury to control the inflammation of soft tissue; delivers up to 30 minutes of soothing relief
- Recommended the most by physical therapists and sports trainers, every Chattanooga colpac is backed by a one-year warranty
- Designed especially for heavy clinic use in cold therapy, choose from seven blue vinyl sizes and four black polyurethane sizes, to ensure effective cold therapy for any body area or shape
- ColPac provides effective relief of pain from cold therapy
- ColPacs filled with non-toxic silica gel that will remain pliable throughout treatment
- Delivers up to 30 minutes of cold therapy soothing relief from acute pain, swelling and fever
- One year warranty