Fomentek Hot Water Therapy Bag - Hot & Cold Water Bottle - Apply Soothing Heat with Warm Water - Pain and Cramps Relief for The Back, Stomach, Feet, Neck, Arms, Shoulders (Medium, 18" x 15")

I'll be candid...when I pulled them out of the box I thought they were pretty low-tech for the price and I thought I might have gotten ripped off. But I tried them and, boy, are they nice!!Instructions say a third full of hot tap water and they're floppy enough to envelop your neck or other hard-to-cover spots. I fill them and put it in a flannel pillowcase, making it easier to slide it down my back (holding onto the pillowcase opening for leverage) to get my traps and between my shoulders (hurty spots). It's also nicer on the skin that way when the bag is extra hot. As the bag starts to cool down, you can either take it out and use it bare (another half life) or put your feet on it within the pillowcase--cozy! I can do this a couple of times for a night of TV-watching.It's comforting to put on my lap while also warming my hands on top (I imagine you could do a hand-softening treatment if you have disposable gloves over oil or paraffin soaked hands--note to self, must try...). I will also tuck it between the sheets before bedtime when it's cold (I don't like electric blankets). I've also used it to keep stones warm when I give him a nice hot stone massage (he LOVES it!). I imagine it works well for warming up other non-body things too. You can calibrate the heat for whatever your use easily from your faucet. The plugs are really good! Pop off when you want them to, but secure (I've gone to bed with these warming my neck). I've used these easily a couple hundred times from Dec through Feb, daily, several times a day, when it was cold. Probably could have made my own towel warmer too with both sandwiching towel in a basket or container.I plan on putting chilled water in and putting under my pillow when the hot, humid months begin. I also plan on packing these on trips to ease travel-related discomforts. These are easy, portable (packs down like a Ziploc), durable (I've even put more water in than recommended for longer heat retention, but then it's firmer/less pliable), multi-purpose with no failures nor sign of impending failure, great heat retention, no electricity needed. I've used them on my shoulders while driving to the chiropractor to help warm up/relax the muscles before a treatment.Better than a hot water bottle, now I'm thrilled with Fomentek's simple design and all the things I use them for. What a 180! By the way, I bought the large one too, but these small ones are the ones I grab, often two at a time, feet and hands, neck and tummy, tummy and feet...

So follow the instructions for sure on not putting water in it that is too hot. Eventually your bags will leak if you continue to put water that is too warm in it and definitely do not put in boiling water. I am a massage therapist so I use these for clients. With all the concern with electrical heat our household uses these as bed warmers and as a therapist I especially like that they mold to your body. Neck, back, etc. Clearly you don’t want to put them under your body as they may rupture. The five gallon bag is quite large so be aware of that. If you laid it on your chest for most people it would go from your clavicle to about the top of your thigh. I recommend these to every single one of my clients and will always be a forever fan. Smaller bags are great for making your own ice packs or use them warm for small area pain. I think the middle of the sizes is the best as the 5 gallon will be too large for most.

I have used Fomentek Bags for YEARS and I have never had an issue that wasn't taken care of for me easily and quickly. If I put a hole in the bag, I sent it back and a replacement was sent. No hassle, no questions! I hope this is still their policy because it's one that has kept me coming back to buy from them for over 15 years! It's extremely difficult to damage the bags and they keep hot tap water hot for a very long time!! My clients LOVE them. The hot to cold option is a HUGE plus for me as well. I could go on and on, but I'll sum it up by saying, as a massage therapist for over 20 years, I have a very short list of companies who's products stand the test of time...Fomentek is one of the very best purchases I have ever made and will continue with as long as I'm working, or as long as they keep making such a FANTASTIC product! Thank you! Adding that they are some of the nicest people to deal with. It's been a pleasure!

Nice

I like that the bags that I purchased are larger than a gallon ziplock bag. I like that the bag has a resealable opening. I like that the bag hasn’t leaked. The bag doesn’t stay warm like a hot water bottle would. It stays warm long enough to do the job it was purchased for though.

Do not buy this item. It's just a plain plastic bag with a flimsy pop-on plastic gasket to close it. I do not trust the closure to hold and prevent the water from spilling all over and soaking my bed. When the large size is filled to 1/3 capacity, as described in instructions, it is too heavy for me to carry because of my back injury. The water sloshes around so that the bag slips and slides. It doesn't retain heat. There's no way to dry out the inside for storage after you fill it. Plus, it's not returnable if you hate it as much as I do. There's no refund unless the product is "defective" (rather than just stupid and pointless), and you have to pay a $5 handling fee plus return shipping. If you're shopping for this because you're in pain, as I am, you don't need the hassle. Amazon should not sell this product. I am so sorry that I wasted my money.

works great, i use it for the feet during massage

Oh, feel the heat! (Or the cold!) I've always had a Fomentek on hand for massage clients and for myself. I recommend the largest size if you're in doubt, because you can fold this while it has hot water in it if you want a smaller hot water bottle/heating pad. I start all clients on this awesome 'comfort tool's for their massage, especially in the colder months, and it works wonders to release and soften stiff muscles. On the other hand, if you have inflammation or want a nice, tidy way to soothe tired swollen feet at the end of the day, this will do it -again large size folded over the feet for top n bottom contact. There's nothing better. The last thing I want to mention its the Fomentek is great on those cold night's when you want the foot of the bed warmed up before you get under the covers. Ahhh...