Don't nuke them in the plastic bag or you will have a plastic melty mess in your microwave, LOL!!!! I used to make rice bags in colorful, soft cotton-stitched bags and put essential oils on them, then gently heat them to use on my clients during massage therapy sessions back when I was still a practicing therapist. Gauge the heat so you don't burn yourself. Additional caution: do not use heat on inflamed or injured areas, as this can cause more harm then good. Sure, the heat feels good on a sore back right after you hurt it, but heat actually draws more fluids to the area and makes the inflammation worse. Ice works better as it "chases" the fluids out of the sore area. As the inflammation subsides and the swelling goes down, the pressure on the nerves also subsides, alleviating the pain (and ice helps to numb the area). But be careful not to go too long with the ice, either. After 72 hours, contrast of ice to heat works well since it will flush the tissues, which aids in healing faster. Do not prolong the heat or the ice as this can damage the tissues and nerves in the area.
@Shop-et-al wrote:
Rice is useful. Some people take the 2 - 5 pound bags, nuke them, and place them on sore backs or other places. The bags are large enough to stay put (and not wander) and they hold heat. This was done for me. I have not done this for myself/by myself.
Anyway, after work and the grocery store (not a shop), I am at home and doing some of the endless little jobs around the house.