Article: If you are experiencing back pain and want to use an ice pack to relieve it, you can either make an ice pack or purchase one. From commercial packs to bags of frozen vegetables, any choice you make can help you alleviate discomfort and reduce inflammation.  You can purchase commercial ice packs specifically designed for the back at many pharmacies and medical supply stores. Make a slushy ice pack by pouring three cups (710 ml) of water and one cup (237 ml) of denatured alcohol in a large freezer bag. Wrap it inside another freezer bag to avoid spilling. Place it in the freezer until it is a slushy consistency. You can put small ice cubes or crushed ice in a plastic bag to make an ice pack. You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables, which may nicely fit the contours of your back. Before you apply your ice pack, wrap it in a towel or cloth. Not only can this keep you from getting wet and keep the pack in place, but may also protect your skin from becoming numb or getting ice burn or even frostbite. It’s especially important to wrap a commercial blue ice pack in a towel. These are colder than frozen water and can cause frostbite. You want to be comfortable while you ice your back. Finding a comfortable place where you can lie or sit can help you relax, relieve discomfort, and get the full benefits of icing.  It may be easier to lie down while icing your back. Be sure to keep your knees slightly bent to relieve pressure off of your lower back. You can also place an ice pack on a chair and hold it in place by wedging it between your back and the chair back. You may need to add a towel between the ice pack and the chair so it doesn’t slip around. Once you’re comfortable, place the ice pack on the area of your back that is causing you pain. This may offer you some immediate pain relief and reduce inflammation that is exacerbating your discomfort.  Keep the pack on the affected area for no more than 20 minutes per session. Less than 10 minutes may be ineffective but too much time can cause damage, so shoot for 15-20 minutes. Doing it for longer than 20 minutes can damage skin (cryoburn) and underlying tissues.  You can use the ice pack after activity or exercise, but don’t use it beforehand. This may prevent your brain from receiving important pain signals to stop.  If your pack doesn’t cover the entire area causing you pain, you can do spot ice treatments to get relief. Practice relaxing and taking deep breaths while you’re using the ice pack to relieve more tension. Use a guided meditation if it helps you feel more therapeutic effects. You can also use elastic wrap or shrink wrap to hold the pack in place. Try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever along with your ice treatments. Using this combination may relieve your pain more quickly and also help control inflammation.  Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen sodium to help relieve your back pain.  NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium may also help relieve inflammation. Ice is most effective for back pain in the days immediately following when you first notice pain. Keep applying the ice until you no longer have pain, or see a doctor if it persists.  You can ice your back up to five times a day with at least 45 minutes in between treatments.  The continued icing keeps your tissue temperatures low and may help reduce inflammation and pain. Consult with your doctor if icing doesn’t help after a week or your pain becomes unbearable. She may be able to treat the pain more effectively and quickly, and can also identify any underlying causes that may be causing you discomfort.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Prepare an ice pack. Wrap the ice pack in a towel or cloth. Find a comfortable place for your treatment. Place the ice pack on your back. Combine ice with a pain reliever. Continue treatment for a few days. See your doctor.
Article: Some medical studies suggest that taking omega-3 fatty acids alongside topical treatments can help manage inflammation. Try taking a daily omega-3 or fish oil supplement as a complementary treatment to your medications. You can find these supplements in most pharmacies and health food stores.  Aim to take around 280 mg per day. You can also increase your omega-3 intake by adding foods like fish to your diet. Always talk to your doctor before you add a new supplement. Omega-3’s can interact with some medications, and your doctor can tell you if these are safe for you. Curcumin is thought to have anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties. Try adding food like turmeric, which is a great source of curcumin, to your daily diet. You can also take turmeric as a supplement in tablet or capsule form.  Turmeric is used widely in many Indian and southeast Asian dishes, including curries. You can buy fresh turmeric root from a specialty food store, or get ground turmeric as a spice from most grocery stores.  You can also try drinking a cup of turmeric tea once a day to add curcumin to your diet. Oats have natural soothing properties. While there isn’t any scientific evidence that supports treating psoriasis with oat baths, many patients say they feel better afterward. To make an oat bath, grind 1-2 cups raw, unflavored oats in a blender to make a powder. Then, sprinkle the powder directly in a warm bathtub. Soak in the tub for at least 15 minutes to get the full benefits of the oats.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Take omega-3 supplements to help manage inflammation. Eat foods high in curcumin. Take an oat bath.
Article: If you plan to add new wires or a light switches that to an existing kitchen outlet, make sure the electrical box that houses the outlet has enough room. You will have to replace the box with a larger one if it doesn’t. Use the National Electrical Code to determine the size of the electrical box. Calculate the amount of wires, devices, and clamps you will put in the box. Add 1 cubic inch for each hot and neutral wire, 2 cubic inches for each device (such as a switch), 1 cubic inch for all ground wires, and 1 cubic inch for all clamps. Take this sum and multiply it by either 2 for 14-gauge wire or 2.25 for 12-gauge wire. This calculation will give you the minimum box requirement in cubic inches. You do not have to do calculations for plastic boxes as the volume is stamped inside of them. Do this at the circuit breaker. Find the switch labeled kitchen and make sure it’s off. Test to see if the power is turned off, plug in a device such as a lamp or radio into the outlet and see if it turns on.  You can also use a receptacle tester on the outlet. The lights on the test will come on if any power still running into the outlet. While the circuit breaker may be labeled, make sure you test the outlet anyway. There may have been changes in the wiring since the box was installed, or the wiring may be defective. First, unscrew the wall plate that holds the outlet. Then, unscrew the outlet from the electrical box. Take the outlet out and disconnect any wires that are connected to it. The electrical box is nailed to a wall stud. Look around the electrical box to determine which side the stud is on. Use a flashlight if it’s too dark to see. You don’t want to saw through the stud when you are expanding the hole to hold new electrical box. Hold the new electrical box over the existing box in the wall so the expansion of the hole is on the side that isn’t nailed to a stud. Use a pencil to make an outline of where you will cut with the drywall saw. Make sure that any wiring connected to the old electrical box is loose before removing it. Pulling out the box when the wires are tight will damage the wiring. Once you are sure that wires are loose, remove the old box by using a flat pry bar.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Determine if you need a new electrical box. Turn off the power to the kitchen. Remove the outlet from the electrical box. Draw an outline of the new electrical box. Remove the old electrical box.