Homemade heating pads?

[Michele]

So I know you can make rice socks to heat in the microwave...we use them at the vet clinic all the time.

But I don't have a microwave at home. Any ideas for making a portable homemade heating pack? I read one post about heating salt in a cast iron on the stove top and then pouring into a paper bag or such. I'm getting sore muscles from working out and the ibuprofen isn't cutting it...mostly in my neck and upper back.

I may just end up buying a few of the hand warmer things....

[GreyhoundsRUs]

What about the plug-in one? Or a hot bath with Epsom salt?

[moonlight]

I don't know if you need direct heat but sometimes after the bread is done breaking in the oven I crack the door and stand with my back to it. Feels great on my back!

[GreyhoundsRUs]

What about leaving something outside all day I actually find laying on the floor, alternating between flat and legs to chest, does great things for my sore back.

[Curegirl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0cLk...TrOyQ&index=70

[MsSassyBaskets]

Not homemade, but a hot water bottle might do it for you -- you can heat the water in a kettle. I have a "corn bag", just a rectangular pillow full of seed corn that I heat in the microwave.

Also consider that you might want to be icing your sore muscles if they're strained. Heat for knots, ice for strains... I think.

[Liisi]

When I lived in an apartment without a microwave, I would heat my rice sock in a preheated-but-turned-off oven. i.e. after I was done baking something, I'd turn the oven off, put the rice sock in, and take it out about 10-20 minutes later.