Me and My Rice Sock: Treat Arthritic and Muscle Pain Effectively and Cheap!

Many years ago, I tore my right medial gastrocnemius (translation:  I tore my right calf muscle).  Now, if any of you out there have not had this experience, this is what that felt like:  ever been hit by a baseball thrown directly at you? There is pain, swelling and limited mobility of the affected limb.  I could walk only by swinging my lower right leg (I couldn't bend the leg, so I couldn't negotiate stairs, etc).  One of my mother's friends, who is from China made me a 'rice sock' to heat up in the microwave oven and place over the torn muscle.  Within 10 minutes the pain dissipated, the lower leg was only 20% swollen compared to before placing the sock on the limb.  I've been a fan of rice socks ever since and I still use the same sock Lilly gave me over 10 years ago.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Take an old fashioned tube sock and fill it with uncooked cheap rice, so that it resembles a slinky.  Tie a knot at the end of the sock.  For muscle or arthritic pain, heat the sock for about a minute or so in the microwave oven (be careful, it can get really hot!) and wrap the sock around whatever hurts.  After about 20 minutes, take the sock off the affected area; move and stretch.  Try it... I promised you, it works!!!!