Review of Huggaroo Neck and Shoulder Wrap ~ I Love it

I’ve written before about the connection between stress and pain. When stressed for any reason, as well as my normal pain worsening, I often get headaches caused by tense muscles in my neck. Medication doesn’t tend to help me when I have tension headaches. However, I sometimes find that applying heat to the back of my neck can help to loosen those tight muscles and ease the headache. Therefore I was grateful when a company called Huggaroo got in touch and offered to send me a neck and shoulder wrap so I could write a review about it.

Disclaimer – I was gifted a Huggaroo neck and shoulder wrap in order to write a fair and honest review.

Perfect Timing to Review the Heat Wrap From Huggaroo

Huggaroo makes a range of therapeutic products like microwaveable heat pads, eye masks, weighted blankets and sensory sheets. I had seen the brand online before, but I had never tried any of their products.

When the company contacted me, they didn’t know it, but their timing was perfect. Because of stress over the last few weeks, my pain has been higher than normal and I’ve had tension headaches most days. I had been using distraction techniques and had tried all my usual coping strategies like breathing better and getting more sleep. I’d also been applying heat to my neck, so, I appreciated the opportunity to try a microwaveable heat pad from Huggaroo.

Choosing a product to review from Huggaroo was difficult because all the products look so good. I struggled to make up my mind but, in the end, I narrowed it down to a choice of two – their head and sinus wrap (there’s a photo of it near the end of this post) or their neck and shoulder wrap. Due to my tension headaches at that time, I opted for their neck and shoulder wrap. However, it really was a tough choice, because I’m sure the head and sinus wrap would have been helpful for my trigeminal neuralgia.

Review of Huggaroo Neck and Shoulder Wrap

A few days later, the wrap arrived in the mail packed in a very sturdy box with full instructions on how to use it.

Soft and velvety, the wrap feels quite plush. As the photo shows, it is shaped specifically to wrap around your neck and shoulders.

The wrap weighs about 3.5lbs. Initially, I worried that it might feel too heavy to use, but it didn’t at all. The weight actually felt good and ensured that the wrap fitted snugly and directed the heat deeply into my neck and shoulders.

The weight also ensured that the wrap stayed in place. Unlike other heat wraps or pads that I’ve tried, I didn’t have to hold it in place, wrap it inside a scarf or keep repositioning it. Even when I moved, it stayed where it was supposed to stay so that the heat still went exactly where I needed it.

Instructions

The instructions suggest heating it for one minute and thirty seconds in the microwave the first time you use it. They say you should get about 10 – 15 minutes of moist heat and then it should remain warm for a further 10 – 15 minutes.

The wrap must cool to room temperature before reheating.

If you want a higher temperature, you can increase the heating time up to a maximum of four minutes. (Always check the instructions on the packaging)

How Long Did it Hold its Heat?

I heated it for exactly one minute and thirty seconds as suggested and it was the perfect temperature for me. I wouldn’t have wanted it any hotter. It held its heat for 15 minutes then remained comfortably warm for another 15 minutes. There was still a gentle warmth in the wrap for about half an hour after that.

(Timing might vary depending on the wattage of the microwave being used. Mine is 1000 watts.)

Scented or Unscented

Huggaroo sell both a scented and an unscented version. The scented wraps contain dried herbs such as lavender, chamomile, peppermint, and lemongrass which they say give a subtle aroma. Sometimes smells are a trigger for my trigeminal neuralgia and migraines, therefore, I chose an unscented wrap.

Hot Versus Cold Therapy

Some people find that heat makes their pain worse and, instead, they prefer cooling therapy. This wrap can be placed into the freezer for four hours, then used this way. Cold makes my pain worse, therefore, I didn’t try that.

Review of the Huggaroo Neck and Shoulder Wrap ~ 5 Stars

Magic pain cures don’t exist, therefore I wasn’t expecting one. But the moist heat of the wrap did help to relax the muscles in my neck which in turn helped to ease my tension headaches.

Relaxation is always an important factor when dealing with pain and I certainly felt relaxed when I used the heat wrap. Actually, so relaxed that I nodded off to sleep wearing it while watching a film on television.

There might be no magic cures for pain, but there are things that are worth keeping in your ‘self-help toolbox’. My Huggaroo neck and shoulder wrap will be sitting at the top of my toolbox so that it’s always within easy reach. I really do love it and give it 5 stars.

Other Huggaroo Products

Huggaroo has a large range of products which can be found if you here on Amazon in the UK.

I think I’ll need to create myself a wish list!

Top of the list, obviously, would be the head and sinus wrap. But I’d also like to try the back wrap which fits around your waist and fastens with velcro. My back would enjoy that but it could also help anyone who suffers from stomach cramps.

The company also sells Sherpa fleece blankets, weighted blankets and the cutest lap pad puppies and lambs. Okay, those lap pads are supposed to be for children. However, they are adorable so they’re on my list!

Will you be writing a wish list too?

Thank you to Huggaroo for sending me this wrap and giving me the opportunity to review it.