Herbal Concept Neck & Shoulder Wrap (Olive)

This is absolutely the best purchase I've ever made on Amazon. This is one of the best products I've ever had the priviledge of owning and enjoying in my life. Period.Here's my deal (the simplified version): I suffer from all-over chronic pain and chronic mental/physical illness. I have debilitating symptoms from: Sensory Processing Disorder (Super hypersensitivity to external stimuli- I can't be in many public places, because of the noise, lights and smells), Fibromyalgia (It's been 2 years of hell), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and bulging discs in my spine.So my head, shoulders, neck, and upper back are always extremely sore, stiff, achy, and in pain. My knees are in constant pain, which radiates throughout my legs.I've had a chronic headache for 20 straight years, which is most of my life. I won't even get into that whole disaster.Many years ago, I used to have constant back pain that was exacerbated from my work conditions. My mom randomly purchased a moist heat from T.J. Maxx, hoping it would bring me some relief.I began using the heat pad every night on my lower and upper back, and after several months, essentially all of my back pain vanished. It was too good to be true.It wasn't the chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist, physical therapist, or anyone or anything else that did it. It was moist heat.So I'm all about the importance of moist heat for any type of muscle or joint pain, strain, injury, and it's even useful for cold nights, anxiety, stress, insomnia, etc. It truly does work, and just the heat alone is comforting.It may not always "fix" serious injuries (go to a real pain & spine doctor, get CY scans!), but it DOES help heal your muscles, by relaxing away the tension, not just physically, but often emotionally as well. Chronic pain always takes its toll, no matter who you are, and consequently, major factors of our lives are affected negatively by it.SO. A few days ago, I was browing Amazon as I always do, looking for new DIY ideas and products to help me and others in pain.When I saw this Herbal Concepts Neck & Shoulder wrap, I became excited. I've never seen a heat pad that is shaped so specifically to cover the exact area of my neck, shoulder and upper back pain.Plus, there were cool colors to choose from, and the wrap was filled with natural, soothing herbs.I reminisced about how effective my old moist heat pad was, and I just knew I had to have this.When it arrived, it was in plastic, and it didn't smell funny.. it smelled really good. It's made of an incredibly soft and smooth material, and I got the gorgeous lavender color.I put the neck wrap inside an open plastic bag to protect it from getting dirty. Then I placed it in my microwave and heated it up for 1 minute.I checked its temperature with my hands. Nope, still cool. So I heated it for another half minute. Hmmm.. almost. Then I went for another 30 seconds, and I could smell the warm lavender and all the wonderful herbs emanating from within. Be careful not to go overboard with the heat. Your body can feel heat differently than your hands do.The smell alone is enough to calm and relax anyone!I gently shifted the herbs from side to side, to mix it and balance the proportions, and wrapped it around my shoulders.HOLY ♤♡♢♧!!! Oh my god....I died. I died. I conveniently melted into my bed and felt a warm wave of pure ecstacy envelop me in a peaceful way, not in like a "let's go crazy at a rave, bring your glowstick" way. It felt amazing to say the least.Wow. After all those years of chronic pain, all those minutes, hours, days, weeks and months I've suffered, my body felt speechless.But outloud, in a daze, I remember mumbling a bunch of joyful, stunned expletives in quick succession.I seriously felt like I'd died and drifted into a heavenly world of goodness. It felt THAT good.OK. So there is this thing called Myofascial Massage. It's a wonderful "alternative" form of massage that is not utilized enough or well known. I tried it once, and it was easily the best massage I'd ever gotten, as it was perfect for my condition.That's where I first learned that my upper back muscles are all mushed into each other, which makes complete sense. It literally FEELS like that. Doesn't sound pretty.That's where I first learned that my tense shoulders are lopsided; I DO always hold one shoulder higher than the other (selfies confirmed this). Maybe always holding a purse or bag on one shoulder helped cause it. I wouldn't be surprised. The muscle in my right shoulder appears larger than in my left.Somehow, this holistic massage therapist found all that out from simply feeling my back. No one else was ever able to determine that, and neither was I.It goes like this: The massage therapist presses his/her fingers deep into your back with firm pressure, just like a deep tissue massage, but then purposefully rubs your muscles outwards, stretching them out, improving blood circulation, while releasing tension and strain. If you think plain deep tissue massage is great, you need to try this! I've only gotten it done once, but it was the first massage in my life, where my body felt significantly more relaxed, my muscles were much less tense and in pain, where I felt totally satisfied with the concentrated amount of deep pressure, and STILL didn't feel sore the next day.Anyway where was I? Oh, right, I'd died and melted into my bed. I lied back, propped up by pillows, and I promise you, every single worry in my life suddenly just hopped aboard a plane and got the hell outta here.Seeya! They said. I didn't reply back.It felt SO GOOD. Incredible. I struggled to keep my heavy eyelids open and my contacts got all dried out. They always dry out when I get very relaxed and sleepy.The sweet and earthy aroma of lavender and flax seed filled my senses, and I'm sure the lavender, valerian root, and chamomile made me more sleepy. All 3 are effective for relaxation, stress relief, and to promote sleep. Remember that!I seriously couldn't move for a while. If there was a fire in the house, I'd weakly call out, "Just one more minute.... just one...one...."Well... at least I'd burn in bliss. (Sorry, no disrespect to burn victims. But I literally felt like I'd hopelessly and pleasantly lost my battle with gravity.)The wrap gently flowed around all my curves and penetrated moist heat deep into my tight, yearning muscles.Since my chronic headache was really bad, I put the wrap against my closed eyes and forehead, and it felt so relaxing. Usually cold washcloths help soothe the pain a bit, but moist heat is unbeatable in my opinion.I instantly fell into a deep trance-like relaxation. It was better than any massage I've ever gotten, any hot tub I've ever been in, and, well, it felt better than sex to me. Because it was precisely what my body had been screaming and crying out for for so long.I love how the collar part covers your whole neck area, and how the front section comes together comfortably around the front of your neck.It's lovely. I can't helping scolding myself for not getting this years ago.There is a perfect amount of weight to this soft, velvety plush heat wrap. It's generously filled with the following ingredients:LavenderChamomilePeppermintSpearmintLemongrassRosemaryCinnamonYarrowWhite WillowValerian RootYellow DockHopsAnd "other natural ingredients."The material is made of Polyester it says, but if this really is just polyester, I want my clothes and bed and damn underwear and socks to be made of it!The cool thing is, this wrap can be used cold as well. In order to chill it, seal it inside a plastic bag. Place it in the freezer for at least 1 hour (a few hours is ideal). Then shift the herbs side to side to mix it and balance out the weight, and lay back with the wrap around your neck. Put your feet up. Close your eyes.Can you hear the ocean waves? Can you smell the fresh air and feel the warmth of the sun beating down upon your back?Did you forget your own phone number and street address?GOOD! Then you are experiencing the beginning of a blossoming new love/love relationship with this awesome neck and shoulder moist heat wrap.A few people, including my mom's boss, have asked me for the link to this, after they heard about it. They too are excited about melting into their beds and sofas, and feeling the pleasures of Comfort Delirium.Yup, I just made that phrase up, but you'll see what I mean. It makes absolute sense.This wrap is as effective and comforting as they come. Try it on any area of your body and be pleasantly surprised.I personally also spray some magnesium oil and rub it into my neck and shoulders for pain (most of us are deficient- look it up!)Sometimes, I use Tiger Balm cream as well. That stuff is incredible in healing sore muscles, especially overnight.To clean the neck & shoulder wrap, wipe the outside with a damp cloth. DO NOT wash it or get it wet. Let the dampness air dry.For the best storage and cleanliness, keep it in an air tight bag when not in use. (I fell asleep with it, sans a bag, in my arms last night. It smells so relaxing.)Store it in a cool and dry area.Overheating this wrap is a terrible idea. And that's what a bunch of reviewers have done here. They microwave it for way too long, on high heat, and damage the material. So make sure to check it in 30 second intervals after the first minute. Since your microwave will differ from other microwaves, make sure you're aware of the settings. It's always safer to underestimate the heat than to overdo it. It doesn't need to be seering hot to do its job magnificently. But if you have health issues, check with your doctor. Pre-existing medical conditions could possibly make this not the best option. So ask first if that's the case.Then? Recommend this moist heat wrap to every human who complains about neck, shoulder, upper back and anywhere else pain. I do!This will help even hardcore insomniacs (me!) To get groggy and sleepy. This will calm anyone with anxiety, and relax anyone with stress and depression.Consistency will be more affective in the long run. I've been using a plug-in electric heat pad for my knees for the past year, and I'm so thankful to have it. I can't imagine life without it right now, with the amount of pain I feel. I'm able to sleep because of it.I think it could be a good idea to add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil to the wrap, if you feel inclined to. Lavender, vanilla, bergamot, and tangerine are just a few relaxing/calming suggestions, and personal favorites. Using the essential oils of the actual flowers and herbs inside the wrap is also ideal.Otherwise, the scent of the natural herbs alone is really nice, and will be enough for most people.I'm a petite woman, so this wrap is a perfect, but with room to spare... I can tell that it will easily fit larger and average people as well.However, I don't think this will be the best size for very obese people, or for very large, muscular men. Ideally, this wrap is a great size for women and teens, up to mostly average sized men. But there is absolutely no rule on that. The wrap adjusts to your shape and size pretty well. I'm just warning you that if you have a huge neck and broad shoulders, you may want to go with something else.Otherwise.... I've always sworn by the healing powers of moist heat pads. And now? I have greater confidence that my pain will eventually become manageable enough for me to be more active and functional, and to once again enjoy pursuing my many life passions.My main purpose is to help and support those who suffer from chronic physical, mental and emotional pain. I can empathize well, and I'm passionate about it. I try to balance care for myself and others- mainly strangers, believe it or not. I've successfully helped prevent 3 suicides just through social media, since I'm so often stuck in bed. I'm too sick to do these things in person right now.This is the time when most people around my age are settling into their jobs and careers, making major life decisions, moving on and establishing their financial and personal freedom, getting married, having kids and starting a family, and enjoying the many pleasures and passions of life. We still screw up at times... a lot of times. And hopefully we always will periodically. It's the only way to get it right next time, and to gain empathy for others in their distress, and to understand people's struggles.My aspirations and goals for the future fill me with hope. Chronic illness, chronic pain, major depression, constant hospitalizations... none of this was planned, and how could it have been? But I've learned SO many valuable things.One of them is that you have to make some time to take care of yourself, and try to limit your stress, especially when you feel totally burnt out, empty, exhausted. After major traumas and losses, take time. You can't just convince yourself everything will be fine if you constantly stay busy. Not if you need time to grieve and process.Stress manifests itself physically and emotionally, and can lead to many illnesses and all the difficulties I face every day.If only one thing, at least allow yourself a nice warm bath with epsom/dead sea/himalayan salts, with calming essential oils, and/OR.....treat yourself to this neck/shoulder moist heat herbal wrap.I promise you, that if you have tension and pain, using this daily will most likely make a significant difference.I highly recommend seeing a pain/spine specialist, and possibly get a CT scan if you have chronic back or body pain/discomfort. Don't ignore it! Almost everyone I know ignores persistant warning signals that their body gives out. Those with digestive problems, it's not normal. See a gastroenterologist.You can thank me later!It's like our ability to feel full after eating. If we never felt full or satisfied, it would be a disaster! It's the same with pain and other medical issues. If you constantly ignore uncomfortable symptoms or side effects, you'll never learn to listen to what your body really needs to stay optimal. There is a reason we're wired to feel certain things. Pain is your body's way of letting you know something is injured or very wrong. It shouldn't be a normal state of being. We deserve to experience a better sense of well-being, on a regular basis!I've been forced to listen to my body's needs throughout my Fibro ordeal, and it has actually saved my life. I've learned that if I overdo it or put toxins in my body, I WILL pay the price for it. Definitely not worth it.So this heat wrap is more than just a product. For me, it gives me real hope again. Without wasting hundreds and thousands of dollars like I would be, for the same or less effective result.I've been stressing about what to do, because of the impossibly high expenses of the treatments that I know will help me the most, like the myofascial massage. Simultaneously, the chronic pain is soul-crushing......but now, my stress melts away.. at least for a little while. And I feel almost human again. It's kind of like a dream.I hope this product helps you as much as it is helping me. I sincerely do.Sorry for writing so much, for preaching, for yada yada. But I mean every word. Moist heat has been miraculous for me, and I wish I'd found this long ago. But maybe it won't mean so much to me then....Good luck to all of you. ♡

Needed a new neck-shoulder heat wrap after my 8-year-old Herbal Concepts wrap began oozing flaxseeds through its old seams. Unfortunately, after nearly a decade since my last wrap purchase, I thought maybe a different filling and design were upgrades, so, I decided to try two other brands of wraps. And, after 3 minutes on high heat, both barely got warm -- likely due to one wrap being over filled with seed filling and the other being too thin with small woven sections as well as clay and other beads filling, not flaxseeds -- before I came right back to Herbal Concepts.This Herbal Concepts wrap with herbs and flaxseeds -- the best filling I've found to conduct and maintain heat -- heated up perfectly in my 1989 microwave (possibly lower wattage than newer microwaves) when set on high for 3 minutes, just as done with my old Herbal Concepts wrap, which was only slightly smaller in overall size. Not knowing how this updated wrap would perform in my microwave, I first heated it on high for 1 minute, which did next to nothing, then put it back in for the additional 2 minutes -- watching closely for any potential smoke or burning (none) -- and it heated up very nicely... not simply warm, but hot; and not scorching, just right. In a more current microwave, however, the wrap may have only needed 2 minutes, or less, to heat, who knows. Anyway, when I removed it from the microwave, the underside was the perfect temperature and, without having had to add any moisture for wet heat, there was some condensation underneath -- helpful for heat to penetrate into my aching, tight muscles -- just as there always had been with my old Herbal Concepts wrap, likely due to the included herbs. And, after having leaned my upper back and neck up against pillows on my couch for a premium heating experience, I timed how long this wrap stayed hot: a full 35 minutes, and then it remained significantly warm for at least another half hour. I was in heat wrap heaven! (Of course, without trapping the heat by pressing the wrap down with weighted pillows, the wrap would have lost some heat sooner but not like the other, clay/bead-filled wraps I tried, which, after microwaving 3 minutes on high, barely got warm and lost all warmth after literally 5 minutes.)The only downside for me with this wrap is that it came in a thin, cheap disposable plastic bag (an Amazon thing or manufacturer doing?) rather than a transparent, thick plastic, zip top storage bag with handle to protect from potential soiling and sharp objects and to contain and save the scent, like came with my previous Herbal Concepts wrap. Thankfully, I kept the original storage bag and this wrap fits fine inside. I strongly suggest getting a similar type of protective storage bag or case if your wrap, likewise, doesn't come with one...NOT to be used in microwave; ONLY for storage when not in use.Lastly, I have odor sensitivities and allergies but find the herbal scent pleasant, soothing and not overpowering. Honestly, I love this wrap and won't stray from Herbal Concepts ever again.

I like the wrap. It’s not as heavy as the last one I had that ended up with a hole in it because I didn’t realize the turntable was not turning in the microwave. Don’t over heat it, I do @ 2 mins 45 seconds.

It works great its the perfect fit for my mom who is smaller framed. The scent is soothing and it heats up nice in the microwave. I love the higher collar for your neck it also stays in place nicely.

I bought this for a friend who has been suffering from neck and shoulder pain for years. She texted me the first time she used that it was heavenly.

I had one that wasn’t as big as this one and thought I’d go for more coverage. However, this one is soooo heavy it slides down constantly. I’m considering getting another one like my old one (when I can afford another) I still prefer to use my old one but it’s been heated so much over the years the herbs are a bit used up and it wasn’t smelling so good anymore. It’s pretty thin now but I still like it better than this bigger one.

Neck support when sitting watching television etc or heated for ease of discomfort

My order came in a timely manner and in good condition. This was a gift, and the recipient is very happy with it. Thank you.

Producto de muy buena calidad. Retiene el calor por un tiempo considerable. Por su tamaño, debe calentarse por 30 segundos cada vez, unas 4-5 veces. Seguir indicaciones para calentarlo.

Love this so much myself that I bought 3 more as gifts at Christmas!Smells wonderful but doesn’t keep quite as hot as other grain/beanbags, perhaps because of all the different grains used to achieve the fragrance and effectiveness?

It takes a long time to heat. I find to awkward and uncomfortable and doesn't stay hot for long.

Absolutely wonderful. LOVE the scent!