FAQ

  1. Safety
    1. Are there any medical conditions that may put me at risk if I use TheraPearl?
      1. TheraPearl was designed by a doctor to be safe and therapeutically effective, but there are some conditions which may increase the risk of frostbite.  Check with your physician if you think one of these may apply to you.  People who are taking beta blockers, which decrease the flow of blood to the skin, are particularly susceptible.  Also at risk are smokers, individuals with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, local limb ischemia, arteriosclerosis, cold urticaria, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis,  paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria or Raynaud’s phenomenon.  A low body fat percentage, most commonly found in athletes and the elderly, also increases the risk of frostbite.  Additionally, people suffering from exhaustion, dehydration or malnutrition or who have consumed alcohol should also be careful.
    2. I have very sensitive/insensitive skin, is it okay to use a TheraPearl pack?
      1. For these conditions, we recommend that you check with your physician before use.
    3. What should I do if I keep using my TheraPearl pack but the pain won’t go away?
      1. Seek medical attention.
    4. Will TheraPearl “cure me?”
      1. TheraPearl is designed as a pain reliever, and to make you feel better.  If it’s something serious, get some medical attention.
    5. Can TheraPearl help me with the dark circles under my eyes?
      1. Dark circles under the eyes can be due to several factors such as allergies or a lack of sleep. A person’s skin may also be thin in that area and so the blood vessels under the skin become more visible and eyes have appearance of the dark circles.  Application of a TheraPearl pack will help decrease the blood flow in the vessels and therefore decrease the appearance of the circles. It is not recommended to fall asleep with your pack applied.
    6. My pet ate some TheraPearl beads, should I be worried?
      1. Our pearls are non toxic, but should not be ingested.  Though very unlikely, they may swell in the respiratory or digestive tract of pets and cause damage, so we recommend that you contact your veterinarian about the specific details of what your pet may have consumed.
    7. I accidentally ate some TheraPearl beads, should I be worried?
      1. Our pearls are non toxic, but should not be ingested.  First Aid is generally not required, and ingestion is not thought to be a cause for concern, but we recommend you contact your physician who will be more familiar with your personal medical history, especially if you have pre-existing organ damage or experience adverse symptoms.
    8. I accidentally got some Pearls in my eye, should I be worried?
      1. Flush your eye with plenty of water, and remove any remaining particles.  Seek medical attention if irritation persists
    9. Is TheraPearl safe for children?
      1. TheraPearl should only be used under adult supervision.  Our pearls are non toxic, but should not be ingested.  Children may have more sensitive skin than adults, so we recommend that adults pay extra attention when using our products on children.
    10. What happens if I heat my pack for too long?
      1. Overheating or prolonged application may cause injury, including burns.  Heating beyond the suggested time may damage or destroy your TheraPearl pack.  If you heat the pack beyond our recommended time, the pearls can get very hot and could burn you very quickly.  It is normal for a TheraPearl pack to expand a little when heated for the recommended time.  If you accidentally heat your pack beyond the recommended time and see it inflating like a balloon,  immediately turn off your microwave, wait for the pack to cool down, and then carefully dispose of your pack.  When in doubt, or if your pack shows any signs of deforming, dispose of your pack – a pack that has been overheated should never be reused.  TheraPearl packs will explode like a popped balloon if heated for an excessive amount of time.
    11. Will my TheraPearl pack burn me?
      1. Always test pack temperature prior to application, especially when using on children.  Temperature should be warm to the touch, but not hot, and never painful.   Heating recommendations provided by TheraPearl are guidelines and are based on testing in standard household microwaves.  Power output will vary in each microwave.  Uneven heating may occur, so be careful, the temperature may vary in different locations in/on your TheraPearl pack.  To be on the safe side, give your pack a gentle shake when it comes out of the microwave to help ensure heat is evenly distributed.  Do not fall asleep using pack.
    12. Can I heat the Eye-ssential?
      1. Eyes are very sensitive, and you only get one set for life, so TheraPearl recommends that you be very careful when using our packs on your eyes.  Be sure to test your heated pack before placing it on your eyes to make sure it is a comfortable temperature, and keep your eyes closed when using it.  Some of the first Eye-ssential packs have a piece of metal attached to the strap that should be removed before microwaving.
    13. Can my child use a TheraPearl pack as a teething ring?
      1. Nope – get a teething ring!
  2. Product Information
    1. How does TheraPearl monitor the quality of their products?
      1. In most countries, TheraPearl is regulated as a medical device.  We take the quality and safety of our products very seriously, and have very strong risk management processes in place.  Our FDA certified manufacturing faculties are regularly audited by independent agencies to ensure that the quality control processes we have in place are followed correctly.
    2. Does TheraPearl test on animals?
      1. If by “test on animals” you mean – do we sometimes bring our dogs to the office, then yes – probably more often than we should!  We do not perform any lab testing on animals.
    3. Does TheraPearl test for phthalates in their products?
      1. All TheraPearl products must pass independent laboratory testing based on standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) section 108.
    4. Does TheraPearl test for Lead or other hazardous substances?
      1. All TheraPearl products must pass independent laboratory testing based on standards from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) section 101.  This includes elements such as Lead and Mercury, but also PBB’s and PBDE’s.
    5. Does TheraPearl contain Latex?
      1. TheraPearl products do not contain Latex.
    6. Does TheraPearl contain BPA?
      1. TheraPearl products do not contain BPA.
    7. What does the “CE” mark on TheraPearl stand for?
      1. The CE mark on our product demonstrates that TheraPearl complies with European Economic Area (EEA) requirements for our type of medical device.  These requirements cover such areas as risk management, quality control and safety.
  3. Use
    1. Is TheraPearl re-usable?
      1. TheraPearl packs are reusable and your pack will last longer if you treat it well.  Keep your TheraPearl away from sharp edges, including curious cats with sharp claws!  Store in a safe place in your freezer or cupboard, not your knife drawer.  Every individual pack is pressure tested before leaving the factory, but to be prudent do not place heavy objects on your pack.  Overheating beyond the suggested time may damage or destroy your TheraPearl pack.
    2. How do I clean my TheraPearl pack?
      1. Clean your pack gently with mild soap, alcohol, or detergent and let stand for 1 minute.
    3. How long does TheraPearl stay hot or cold?
      1. TheraPearl was designed to stay hot or cold and deliver a therapeutically effective temperature for a doctor recommended time of 20 minutes.  If you plan to re-apply the product, be sure to take a 20 minute break between uses.  Some of our customers have told us they prefer to use the packs chilled in the refrigerator rather than the freezer.  Consult with your physician if you are unsure about what will work best for you.
    4. Is it okay to put my TheraPearl in a dirty microwave?
      1. You probably aren’t the only one out there with a dirty microwave, and you are fine using it to heat your pack, though you might want to quickly rinse your pack before putting it on your nice clean skin.  You can also place your TheraPearl on top of a microwave-safe plate first, or wrap it in a moist paper towel.
    5. My microwave is broken, can I bake or boil my TheraPearl pack in the meantime?
      1. No, do not bake or boil TheraPearl packs.
    6. Can I heat my TheraPearl in a towel warmer?
      1. We do not recommend using a towel warmer to heat your TheraPearl pack.  Towel warmers are designed to keep towels hot for an extended period of time until they are ready to be used. The temperature reached inside most towel warmers is significantly higher than recommended for a TheraPearl pack. A pack heated this way may be damaged and could burn you.
    7. Can I take my TheraPearl straight from the freezer and heat in the microwave?
      1. Yep.  But be very careful not to overheat your pack.  Test the pack temperature prior to application, as overheating may cause injury.  Overheating may also damage or destroy your pack.
    8. What should I do if my microwave doesn’t seem to be heating my pack evenly?
      1. Even microwaves with the same power often heat differently, and sometimes unevenly.  We always recommend that you test your pack temperature before you remove it from the microwave, and if it seems to be unevenly heated, shake it around for a while to let the pearls mix together.
    9. Do i have to freeze my pack for 2 hours?
      1. You can leave your pack in the freezer indefinitely, or just chill it for a short period of time.  Some of our customers are looking for “cool” rather than “brrr” so they store their packs in the fridge,
    10. Do I need to wrap my TheraPearl before placing it in the microwave?
      1. Some of our customers wrap their pack in a moist paper towel or cloth, but this is not required.
    11. What are the key benefits to using TheraPearl?
      1. Not to toot our own horn, but there are many great things about TheraPearl.  Frozen or Heated, our packs will conform to your body when applied.  They are not messy and do not leak or drip like some other products on the market.  Our budget conscious customers tell us they appreciate that our packs can be reused, and everyone tells us they love how easy and convenient TheraPearl is to use.
    12. I’ve used my pack for a while and the pearls are starting to break down, is this normal?
      1. Your brand new favorite shirt won’t be as crisp after going through some laundry cycles, and the pearls in your pack will also start to break down after a while.  This is perfectly normal, and your pack will still work even after all the pearls break down.  The good thing is that TheraPearl packs are BBQ sauce proof, too bad we can’t say the same about that favorite shirt…whoops!
    13. How do I know when it’s time to dispose of my TheraPearl pack?
      1. You should discard your pack any time it’s punctured or pierced.
    14. My pack broke, can I use tape/glue/epoxy/staples to repair it?
      1. No, please discard your pack if it breaks.
    15. How should I dispose of my TheraPearl pack?
      1. We recommend that you dispose of the non-toxic pearls in your household trash, not down your sink.  The empty bag can be put in the trash or recycled along with other products, like children’s toys, that have the “3″ recycling symbol.
    16. Can I fall asleep with my pack on?
      1. TheraPearl was designed to be therapeutically effective and safe but we do not recommend you fall asleep with a heated or chilled pack applied.
    17. How often can I use my TheraPearl pack?
      1. It’s important to give your skin a break between applications, so we recommend you wait 20 minutes before applying again.
    18. Is it okay to use TheraPearl on open wounds?
      1. TheraPearl was not designed to be used on open wounds.
    19. Can I use my TheraPearl pack in a bath?
      1. You can use it in a bath, you can use it doing math!  Use it in a shower too, or take it with you to the zoo!
    20. Can I place the pack directly on my skin?
      1. Yes, TheraPearl packs can be placed directly on your skin, but be sure to test the pack’s temperature before applying.
    21. Can I sit/lay on the pack?
      1. We test every TheraPearl pack with a big heavy weight before it leaves the factory, but we do not recommend you sit or lay on your pack.
    22. Can I use my TheraPearl pack on my pets?
      1. Your pet cannot tell you if a pack is too hot or too cold, so be careful when using it on your pet.  You probably shouldn’t use it on fish or pet rocks, for obvious reasons.  Also, be careful of sharp claws and teeth, they can break your pack, and you wouldn’t want that!
    23. Can I use my TheraPearl pack if I am pregnant?
      1. Congratulations!  We recommend that you ask your doctor if TheraPearl is an appropriate product for you and your specific situation.
    24. Can I use my TheraPearl pack in conjunction with a topical analgesic?
      1. A topical analgesic may reduce your ability to correctly judge temperature on your skin, so we recommend that you do not.
    25. Can I take my TheraPearl to the gym and use it while I’m working out?
      1. Many of our customers use a heated pack to help get the blood flowing before a workout.
    26. Can I use TheraPearl for my headaches?
      1. A study found that the analgesic effect of a cold pack helped a significant number of patients, and it was more effective for migraine headaches vs. mixed or cluster headaches.  Go for it, we hope it works for you!
  4. General FAQ
    1. What is TheraPearl?
      1. TheraPearl is a reusable therapeutic hot and cold pack for use with common aches, pains, swelling and bruising.
    2. Where did TheraPearl come from?
      1. TheraPearl was invented by Carol Baltazar, a doctor who wanted a better solution for her patients.  She had always recommended frozen peas to her patients and used them for her own children, but knew there should be a better option.  One day, a patient of Carol’s, Gina Dubbé scoffed at being handed a bag of peas.  Carol confessed her long time desire to improve upon the age old solution and right then and there, they decided to work together to create what would become TheraPearl.
    3. What should I do if I have a question that isn’t answered in this FAQ?
      1. Most of these questions came from our customers – we’d probably add your question to our list!  If you have any questions, or just want to tell us how much you love your TheraPearl – Please give us a call, or send us an email – we love hearing from our customers!
    4. I am a blog/review site, how do I request samples to test out?
      1. Please send us an email through our contact page and we will get back to you.
    5. Why does TheraPearl feel so great on my skin?
      1. We worked hard to create a product that’s durable, but also feels soft on your skin.  Other products can be jagged and uncomfortable, but our Pearl Technology™ is designed to conform to your body.
    6. What’s Carol up to these days?
      1. Carol invented TheraPearl because she wanted something better for her patients and family.  She continues to stay very involved with everything the TheraPearl team does.  Carol still works everyday in her practice, but now her patients get TheraPearl packs instead of frozen peas!
    7. Can I take my TheraPearl with me on a plane?
      1. Packs are fine to put in your checked luggage in the United States.
    8. My Doctor suggested I use frozen peas, can I use a TheraPearl pack instead?
      1. Save your vegetables for the dinner table because TheraPearl conforms to your body just like a bag of frozen peas, but is reusable and can be easily heated in your microwave.
    9. Can I use a TheraPearl pack to keep my lunch cold?
      1. “Cooler” ice packs are designed to get very cold and maintain their temperature for a very long time, which is great for your soda, but not good for your skin.  TheraPearl packs are designed to maintain their temperature for a therapeutically effective time, and will not stay cold as long.  You can substitute your TheraPearl pack in a pinch, but don’t come crying to us if your egg salad gets a little funky!