How Do Chemical Heat Packs Work?
Chemical Packs Chemical heat packs can be used to apply heat to specific areas on the body to help with pain and injury recovery. They are most popular in sporting events where athletes suffer from various injuries, but are also used in hospitals and are sold for at-home use. Both heat and ice packs use the same thermal reactions to produce their effects, but there are two different kinds: one-time use packs that only last half an hour to an hour, and reusable packs that aren’t as effective but can be recooled or reheated as needed. Both versions make use of substances that have special thermal properties when they encounter water. In one-use packs, the pack is divided into two different compartments, one with normal water and the other with another a chemical substance with strong reactive properties to water. The chemical in the hot pack is usually calcium or magnesium sulfate, which produce an exothermic reaction when combined with water–they release a large amount of heat. When th
