Warning: Cura-Heat may cause extreme silliness (Kobayashi Cura-Heat)

Member Name: englishrose

Product:	Kobayashi Cura-Heat
Date:	27/03/09 (51 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: didn't do any harm

Disadvantages: didn't do any good

Last week, I woke up with a pain in my arm, at the point where the top bit meets the elbow - and I don't even know why, as I cannot remember banging it or twisting it. You know how sometimes, a pain just appears from nowhere? (Maybe it's Dooyooers Cramp, caused by too much sitting here typing?)

Anyway, I remembered that I had these Cura-Heat Patches in the bathroom cabinet. I had bought them some time ago from my branch of Home Bargains, so the price was less than it would normally be, at around £2.00.

I orginally bought these because I don't like using cold things for pain: you know how you are recommended to use a bag of frozen peas , for example, to reduce pain and swelling. Well that's alright in summer, but I am freezing cold all the time as it is at this time of year, so I wanted something hot.

The instructions tell me to open the packet and stick the patch onto the affected area, but not directlly onto the skin: Following the instructions carefully for fear of getting burnt, I open the wrapper and apply the sticky side to my sleeve.

I was expecting it to feel like a gel, but it felt more like a powder inside the patch. On the outside, the patch just appears like a giant plaster.

Hmmm. By now I was thinking, this is a bit silly. The instructions say that you should not open the air-activated pack until just before using it, because it will start to heat up immediately. Sure enough, just 6 short hours later, I feel a slight warmth in the elbow area. Was that all? Er, yes. There was no 'heat' , much less any chance of burning.

Did it help with my pain? No, that lasted another few days then died away of its' own accord.

Did I feel really stupid all day long? Yes, particularly when my six-year old kept telling me that I had got something stuck to my sleeve.

Will I use it again? Yes, because I have still got some left in the packet, so waste not, want not. However, in future, I will not follow the instructions* - I will apply it directly to my skin in the affected area, and take the consequences, lol.

*Disclaimer - please always follow the instructions ;)

Summary: Would probably work better if applied directly to the skin - but it tells you not to!