I hurt my back the other day by being stupid. I used to hurt my back on a regular basis - for awhile it seemed every time I turned around or bent the wrong way - I would be back in Pain-Central.
Living on the farm has obviously strengthen my back a lot. I am able to do things I couldn't do before. I even have muscles in my arms that show when I flex. I'm so proud! However because I haven't hurt by back for a few years I got a little careless.
Dumb Dumb Dumb. The first day I couldn't sit for very long and laying down wasn't helping either so I hung over the foot stool. It looked crazy but it was the only position that afforded any relief. I even managed to use the computer but my typing skills went right down hill!
I tried pain meds and massage - thanks honey - but nothing was really helping. After icing it for awhile I was searching for the heating pad when DH suggested the hot water bottle. I've never really had a use for them in the past so when he wanted to pick one up last year - more for nostalgia than purpose I said - OK whatever. I'm so glad he did. It was the only thing that helped.
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Apparently modern day rubber water bottles with a stopper were invented in 1903. They were used to warm up the bed on cold nights and were later replaced with the electric heating pad and electric blankets. Did you know there's a whole museum devoted to these "hotties" or "Dutch Wives" in Europe? That may be a little over-board but I think I've fallen in love with them.
It makes so much sense as a way to save money and keep the heat turned down especially if you are prone to cold toes. So frugal! I think it's a great addition to a first aid closet. We now have two of them - I think the last one was about $14.00 at a drug store.
I suppose I should have seen this coming - every hot water bottle I've ever seen has been RED - you would think that would have been my first clue to their necessity.
The pain is more of an ache now and I am slowly feeling better but there's no place more comfortable than snuggled up under a blanket with a hot water bottle behind my back.
Hi Anita! Hope your back is soon completely better! I had a backache a few years ago and discovered those heat packs that you buy at the drugstore. Like a hot water bottle but you can strap them on at just the right spot and let them work their magic. They are expensive and disposable - two things that would normally prevent me from buying them - but wow! they did the trick for me and so I keep a box in the house just in case....
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle - I did manage to rig it up so I could be mobile :) It looks pretty funny :)
DeleteAnita, I have been prone to back troubles for 25 years - my hot water bottle and my chiropractor have been my best friends!
ReplyDeleteMy kids also have their own wee hot water bottles and rice-filled, flanellette covered 'boo-boo' pads (which get heated up in the microwave) -they get taken to bed, no leaks lol.
A sad day was when I left my favourite hot water bottle at the hospital when I was a patient..... Sniff. HWBs are very comforting, like a warm hug.
I've heard those rice bags work really well. We don't have a microwave so I've never pursued them further. A warm hug indeed and honestly more relief than Tylenol!
DeleteI hope you are feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteI use a flannelette bag filled with cherry pits. It can be used hot or cold.
So sorry to hear about your back! I love my hot water bottle for my back issues...you can use cold water too.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you buy your hot water bottle? I have the exact same one, it's only about a year old but can't remember where I got it, Boots? HELP. Reason I am asking is that the bottom seam burst two days ago and I was sitting in a leather chair. The water didn't have any place to soak into but my bum! Two inches to the right and my female equipment would have been boiled meat. As it is I have a 2nd degree burn. So I wanted to find out which store sells this brand so I can tell the mfr that there's a problem with this brand. There's a flower on one side of the neck and a number on the other, but no clue to the mfr.
ReplyDeleteIf you know...can you email me at laurenwbr at gmail dot com ? Thanks so much! Am not looking for compensation, just want to warn others! And FFS, don't put any pressure on it, like leaning back full weight. I am less than 11 stone!
Cheers, Lauren
Hi Lauren, OH NO!! I hope you are feeling better soon! Since I don't live where we weigh ourselves in stones I am probably not going to be able to help you with a location. I am wondering however about the burns...how hot was the water you put in the bottle?? It should have just been hot tap water and not boiling water. I could imagine that boiling water could have weakened the seams causing it to burst but maybe that's not what you did. At any rate it's a good warning for the rest of us to inspect the water bottle before filling and to be careful.
DeleteHi, your blog is really nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this information....
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