I’ve been following Physicool on Twitter for quite some now, so was thrilled when they offered to send me a sampling of their product to test and review.
Thankfully [touch wood], I’m running injury free at the moment, although my right shin/calf has been a little tender of late. What better time to test the physicool Cooling Bandage?
How it works:
The concept is a novel one – instead of pushing cold in (such as ice), physicool draws heat out for instant cooling. physicool is a unique cooling bandage infused with a coolant. The coolant draws heat away from the affected area by evaporation. As the deep tissues cool down, the compression effect of the bandage modifies the inflammatory response to soft tissue, helping healing and recovery. Each bandage cools for up to 2 hours and can be re-used by applying more coolant.
physicool explain the science of cooling by rapid evaporationon and cooling with open-cell technology on the How it Works section of their website and their excellent “How to Apply” video (below) is a useful resource too.
physicool currently sell 4 products:
- Size A Bandage ($14.95) – suitable for wrapping wrists and elbows.
- Size B Bandage ($19.95) – suitable for torso, thighs and shoulder areas.
- 16.9oz Coolant Spray ($26.95) – used to recharge either of the physicool bandages for many more uses.
- Combination Pack ($20.95) – a Size A bandage and 5oz bottle of coolant.
The product I received was the Combination Pack containing a Size A bandage and bottle of coolant – enough for a couple of recharges according to the bottle label.
I like the fact that no refrigeration is necessary and that the product can be used right out of the self-seal packet. User instructions are clear and concise, and printed on both the large outer Combination Pack and inner Size A bandage pack. Coolant recharge instructions are clearly visible on the coolant bottle label as would be expected.
Application on my lower leg was quick and easy.
- Tear packet above the self-seal line on the bandage packet.
- Remove the bandage, squeezing any excess coolant back into the package.
- Wrap bandage gently around the affected area, being careful not to overlap by more than one third.
- When the bandage is completely unraveled, fasten the end using the attached physicool logo’d velcro strip.
- Elevate the injury, but be sure to keep the bandage uncovered with good air circulation.
- After a couple of hours, the cooling effect will stop. Remove and re-roll the bandage, placing it back in the original packet along with 5 capfuls (approx. 75ml) of coolant, so that it’s ready for the next use.
Does it Work?
I have to say the physicool experience is far more comfortable and convenient than the traditional bag-of-ice-on-the-injury treatment that most athletes tend to favour.
Within seconds of wrapping the bandage on the affected area, the cooling sensation kicks in and you get to enjoy a nice tingly sensation. In the case of my sore shin, the relief was pretty much instant.
The first time using the product, I kept the bandage on for probably 90 minutes. The bandage stayed cool/cold the whole time and was not uncomfortable at all – in fact it was quite a soothing sensation. The only slight downside to the initial application was the smell of the coolant. No smell would be ideal, but it is what it is I guess. Results were similar to better than traditional ice treatment in that the shin responded to the treatment, but the whole experience is far more pleasant and sustainable than applying an ice pack to the affected area.
“Cool” things about the product are that you can apply coolant to the bandage in situ to recharge the cooling effect, the cooling technology works, it’s completely portable and is very easy to apply. physicool is definitely something I’ll be packing in my race gear bag and keeping close to hand for those little niggles that crop up from time to time.
Links:
physicool website
Follow physicool on Twitter
Like physicool on Facebook
physicool on Amazon.com
(Disclaimer: the product reviewed in this post is a media sample provided free of charge by physicool).
