Back pain can be eased through the application of heat or cold in a simple buckwheat-filled pillow. Your pain may be from overusing a muscle, and if that muscle is inflamed, a cold pillow can help reduce the inflammation. Other back aches may respond well to a heat pack, which is also nice to comfort your back during the cold of winter. When your back is warm, the rest of you may be warm, too.
Step 1
Mix enough buckwheat hulls for your pillow size and 10 to 20 drops of essential oil. Place the mixture in a sealed container for two days if using lavender. Skip to Step 3 if using material.
Step 2
Fill your sock with buckwheat, leaving a 1/2 inch empty at the top. Fold the top of the sock 1/4 inch over itself and hand stitch it closed. Use a needle and thread and go back and forth from one side of the sock to the other as you work your way across the length of the sock. Skip to step five.
Step 3
Place your fabric squares on top of each other with the inside facing out. Hand sew or machine sew three sides together by leaving 1/2 inch seam allowance. Hand sew or machine sew the fourth side only half way.
Step 4
Turn the fabric right side out and fill your pillow 1/2 to 3/4 of the way with your buckwheat. Hand stitch the remaining side closed.
Step 5
Place the pillow in your microwave for one to three minutes for heat. Place the pillow in your freezer for 30 to 60 minutes for cold.
Things You'll Need
- Two fabric squares of your preferred shape and size or an old sock
- Buckwheat hulls
- Lavender essential oil (optional)
- Needle
- Thread
