How long do I need to FREEZE the gel pack for it to be effective?
1 hour in a freezer is all that is needed to get the gel pack cold enough for therapeutic purposes.  Alternately, putting in a refrigerator for 2-3 hours will also suffice.  These can even be cooled in a portable ice-cooler or chest for immediate injuries that occur outdoors.

How long do I need to HEAT the gel pack for it to be effective?
A professional will most likely use a Hydrocollator™.  Heat the ThermoActive gel pack to typical temperatures that you would use for this method.  To protect the skin, make sure to wrap the gel pack in a light towel or type of fabric “barrier” before attaching to the wrap or applying to the body.
For home use – use a microwave.  Heat for 15 seconds on one side and then flip it over and heat for 15 seconds on the other side.  After heating, wait 60 seconds before applying to the body.  If necessary, continue to heat in 10 second increments, until desired temperature is achieved.

How long should I use the packs during a treatment?
Whether you use the ThermoActive support for heat or for cold therapy, an individual treatment should last between 15-20 minutes.  Do not exceed 20 minutes.  Please refer to our section of this website called “How to Treat an Injury” for more details.

Can I walk or move with the ThermoActive wraps?
Absolutely – in fact, this is one of the big benefits that our supports provide over other products on the market.  Due to the circumferential compression, the support will stay firmly in place, even during normal motion (no running or jumping).  Other products just use a hook and loop type wrap that will slip and move during motion.  We do NOT recommend walking with the ankle wrap or if treating a leg or foot injury.

How many times should I pump the compression bulb?
Just to be safe, we recommend squeezing the pressure bulb only 5 times and then if more pressure is needed, pump 2-3 more times every 5 seconds until desired pressure is reached.  Luckily, if too much pressure is applied, the pressure can be released by pressing the release valve.

Should I store the black wrap in the freezer?
No – this is another benefit of the ThermoActive supports – the gel pack is removable.  We recommend storing the pack in a plastic bag in the freezer (unless you plan on using it for heat therapy).  Make sure that the pack is lying flat with nothing heavy on it (like heavy groceries).
Make sure the bulb is attached to the wrap during storage, so it is not misplaced.

How do I clean the ThermoActive gel pack and wrap?
Removable Gel Pack:  Hand wash in cold water and mild soap.  Hang dry or pat dry with a towel.
Support: Wipe the support down with damp (not soaking wet) cloth using mild soap.  Allow the wrap to fully dry before continuing use.