"A True Bonus in My Recovery" #BePolarCool

We love hearing what customers think about our products, and we've gotten a lot of great feedback about our circulating cold-water therapy system, the Active Ice® Therapy System:

"Most physicians simply tell patients to "ice" an injured body part. But when the physician becomes the patient, she learns how messy and inconvenient most ice packs can be - not to mention they simply don't outlast the pain. No matter where you hurt, or why you hurt, pain takes your life away. When I blew out my knee I was not sleeping, in pain, and frustrated that nothing seemed to help. I purchased the active therapy system and now I call it my portable life support system - it provides immediate, continuous pain relief that is non-sedating and not addicting (unless ice is a vice!) I love this machine and it goes everywhere with me - day and night. Used as needed, intermittently, I find that I am more rested and relaxed - I thank you and I am sure my patients will thank you also!"

- Malinda Bell, M.D., F.A.C.E.P., Emergency Physician in Manistee, Michigan.

Jil, Polar's MS Consultant, using our Active Ice® System

"I bought my unit 4 years ago to help me through a series of knee surgeries. It has been excellent... A month ago I bought one for my mother who recently had a partial knee replacement surgery. This is a high value product that I would recommend to anyone with joint pain or swelling."

- Craig in Greenville, South Carolina

"This has been a life saver. My wife was having great pain in her knee and we had tried ice packs and it just didn't seem to work. It was hard to keep in place and needed changed out. We purchased the ice therapy system and she was able to relieve her pain and get the sleep needed to go to work."

- George

"The Active Ice System was an integral part of my recovery from double knee surgery. I had torn both my quad tendons from the bone as a result of an accident. The inflammation was unbelievable! In the absence of the Active Ice system, I do not believe that my overall recovery would have been as successful. I cannot think of a viable substitute. After surgery, my neighbor gave me the use of his system. After several weeks, I was sold and contacted Polar Products to acquire one of my own. I'm so glad that I did. My recommendation: Buy one of these units to facilitate recovery. You'll not be disappointed!"

- Steve in Ohio

Our Active Ice® System can be ordered with a y-shaped hose
connector (#AIS-D) to use two therapy bladders at once!

Polar Products' Active Ice® Therapy System is specifically designed for post-surgery, drug-free pain relief. Our comfortable and easy-to-use cold therapy system is great for knees, shoulders, back, ankles, elbows, calves, limbs and more!

Don't forget to share your photos and selfies with the hashtags #PolarProducts and #BePolarCool for a chance to be featured on our Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram!

We ❤️️ to see customer photos!

Thanks to all of our customers who have shared their feedback with us! You help our product line continue to grow and evolve. Please CONTACT US to share your experience and feedback with our garments.

PEDIATRIC MS

Many people with multiple sclerosis are heat sensitive. MS research has proven that heat and humidity often aggravate common MS symptoms. MS research has also proven that cooling the body can help lessen the negative effects of heat and humidity on a person with MS.

Polar Products is a proud supplier for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America Cooling Program that offers cooling vests and accessories for adults with multiple sclerosis as well as children diagnosed with pediatric MS.

The children’s cooling vests are designed to fit children and pre-teens up to 100 lbs. 

(Teens should apply for the MSAA Adult Cooling Program.) Rather than using ice packs which freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a children’s cooling vest uses ice packs that freeze solid at a moderate, safe temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit. These cooling packs release their cooling energy at this consistent and comfortable temperature for up to three hours. They can be frozen in a freezer, refrigerator or cooler of ice water. Packs are non-toxic and non-flammable.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Visit www.mymsaa.org/msaa-help/cooling/ to print an application.

Please call MSAA at 1.800.532.7667 or email clientservices@mymsaa.org.

http://www.polarproducts.com/MSandCooling.htm

NEW! Cool Kids™ Toddler Vests

Heat-sensitivity can be a difficult symptom for an active child.  

We’ve helped kids with Dravet Syndrome, Down Syndrome, mitochondrial diseases, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and other medical conditions beat the heat! 

Cooling for big "kids" and little kids, too!

New! CoolKids™ Toddler Cooling Vest

This summer, Polar Products is proud to announce our expanded pediatric body cooling line, including new products (toddler vest!), new colors (light blue!) and new projects (cooling seat cushion for strollers - coming soon!).

Cool58® cooling packs

Our cooling vests for toddlers and kids use reusable, lightweight and non-toxic Cool58® cooling packs that cool at a safe and comfortable temperature of 58° Fahrenheit.

Here's what moms have to say about Polar's Cool Kids™ Cooling Vests:

CoolKids™ Toddler Cooling Vest in Light Blue

“This CoolKids™ Toddler Cooling Vest works wonders for my son! He was born with Down Syndrome and has a hard time regulating his own body temperature. With this vest we have been able to play outside without the constant worry of him overheating. His safety means everything to us and this vest certainly helps my husband and I worry a little less. The vest is easy to use, easy to clean, and it really does only take 20 minutes in ice water to recharge. We also opted for the extra ice packs; I highly recommend getting them if you plan to be out in the heat for more than a couple hours. On a side note: The light blue vest is super cute on my little man! 

I could not be happier with this product!” 

− Courtney in VA

“My 12 year old son loves his Cool58® Vest. He is totally sold on how wonderful it is and says, “It is amazing, Mom.” He likes it especially because it is easy to use, and “I don’t need your help, Mom.” He even wore it under his life jacket on the boat and I think he was the most comfortable one. I can tell that it helped him not be fatigued as much and he didn’t sweat like he normally would. That was a huge help in keeping him hydrated. When I brought it home he said, “I know this will make me feel better when I am out and during band camp too.”  Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this will improve his quality of life.” 

− Amy in Ohio

CoolKids™ Toddler Cooling Vest in Pink

“This is a true lifesaver for my daughter. She has a skin condition called Ichthyosis that prevents her from sweating and regulating her body temperature. With this CoolKids™ Toddler Cooling Vest she is able to attend recess and PE with her friends at school and participate in other outdoor activities. The ice packs stay cool for a long time in 80 degree weather.” 

− Cynthia in Texas

“My son loves Star Wars, so I put a few iron on patches on his new Polar Products cooling vest.”

– Kapka

“Kindergarten success! Thanks to the cooling vest, my daughter has been able to actively participate in physical education and recess without risk of overheating. It is easy for her to use by herself. She keeps it in a mini-fridge in her classroom and uses it as needed. Thank you so much for your product!”

- Jen in WV

Beat the Heat!

Learn more about our pediatric cooling garments!

Click here for a PDF of our Beat the Heat! brochure.

Have a great summer!

FAQs: Cooling Vests for MS

Q1. What is the role of cooling vests for patients in general (whether those with MS or possibly other conditions that may benefit from such).

A. There are many medical conditions affecting adults and children that can have heat intolerance as a symptom. Research has shown that cooling vests and wraps can help lessen the negative effects of heat and improve the quality of life for people with these conditions. Cooling vests are a non-invasive, drug-free and cost-effective method to manage this symptom and enable people with MS to enjoy daily activities outdoors and in the heat.

Q2. Why are cooling vests important for patients with MS in particular? What benefits can they provide?

A. The majority of people with MS experience some level of symptomatic heat intolerance. Symptoms may include: blurred vision after exercise, fatigue, dizziness or a weakness in one or both legs. Prolonged exposure to heat might make fatigue worse, which might in turn make other symptoms feel worse. Although this temporary worsening of symptoms (known as pseudo-exacerbation) may feel like a real MS attack, the symptoms will usually improve as the body temperature returns to normal.

Studies have shown that nerves with damaged myelin are sensitive to changes in temperatures. A rise in temperature may cause a failure in the effective transmission of signals from the brain to the body (nerve conduction), and a reduction in temperature may allow more signals to be transmitted across the damaged nerve.

Q3. Are cooling vests more suited for some MS patients over others? 

A. There is a saying in the MS community: “Everyone’s MS is different”. This can be true of heat intolerance also. Each person’s cooling needs can vary according to their own particular needs, their activity and their environment. 

Heat or exercise related symptoms may be brought on by activity, sunbathing, hot baths, emotion, exercise, fever or other things associated with an increase in body temperature. Many people with MS find hot weather difficult, but even in cooler weather, hot showers, or even daily activities like cooking in the kitchen or using a hair dryer can sometimes be a problem. 

A good example is that a small percentage of people with MS have a particular problem with overheating of the lower leg and feet. These people can benefit from Kool Max® cooling ankle wraps and they may not need a vest at all.

Q4. What are key features MS patients should look for when looking for a cooling vest? 

Key considerations include:

• Climate
• Activity
• Cost
• Access to a freezer
• Flexibility of the cooling garment (i.e., does the vest allow the wearer to vary the location of cooling and number of cooling packs?)

Q5. Are there any features or things in particular to avoid when looking for a cooling vest? 

A. see question 8 - hammer/nail

Q6. What's the general price range for a cooling vest?

A. Polar Products is the only manufacturer offering the most affordable cooling vests and accessories in every cooling technology.

Water-Activated / Evaporative Vests: $30 - $200

Cooling Pack Vests (water base): $100 - $250

Cooling Pack Vests (phase change): $140 - $350

Circulating Water Vest Systems: $800 - $2,000


Q7. Are cooling vests typically covered by insurance? And are there any resources for people with MS who may need assistance with the financial cost of a cooling vest?

The short answer is that most insurance providers do not offer coverage. However, insurance coverage can vary by provider and plan, so we encourage customers to contact their provider. Occasionally we hear that insurance companies will cover the cost of a vest with proper documentation from their doctor.

Several non-profit organizations have cooling programs and will provide cooling garments at no cost to people with MS who meet financial eligibility guidelines. These non-profits include the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (mymsaa.org) and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (msfocus.org). Polar Products is proud supplier for these outstanding cooling programs, which include several of our most popular cooling vests and accessories.

Additionally the VA Hospital system provides Polar cooling vests for veterans with MS. Veterans may have to specifically request such a system.


Q8. What product recommendations do you have for people with MS?

Vests and accessories with Kool Max® frozen water-based cooling packs: the number one choice for MS cooling. These garments are available in a variety of configurations of vests and accessories for different activities or needs. They are lightweight, affordable, easy-to-use and ideal for any environment. 

Other popular cooling technologies for MS include:

Cool Comfort® Hybrid Water-activated Systems: these garments can be very effective in low humidity climates (and outdoor activity...)

Vests and accessories with Cool58® 58 degree phase change cooling packs: These garments use packs that will recharge in a cooler of ice water. An excellent choice when traveling or whenever freezers are not available. They are a bit higher cost and have a lower cooling energy than frozen water-based packs.

http://www.polarproducts.com/MS

NASA / MS

All circulating cooling systems started with NASA

From MSAA’s “Multiple Sclerosis and Cooling, Third Edition:

http://www.mymsaa.org/publications/cooling/#space

Space Technology Refines Cooling

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) developed space suits to protect astronauts from the hazards of space. A space suit, however, will also trap heat inside the suit. To stabilize an astronaut's body temperature, space suits are equipped with an undergarment containing a network of small tubes held against the body. A chilled liquid is pumped through these tubes, removing the body's heat by heat transfer between the skin and the tubes. These garments are known as liquid-cooled garments (LCG's), but are often referred to as "cool suits." Cool suits are now used in a variety of industrial and military applications.

Known for their expertise with LCG's, NASA scientists continued to refine and adapt this technology for the advancement of biomedical research. These advancements include cooling systems for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, children who suffer from HED (insufficient sweat glands), and those
diagnosed with MS.

MSAA Advances Cooling Technology

As MSAA and NASA continued to expand the science of cooling and MS, both agencies realized the need to pool resources and accelerate the goal of bringing symptom relief to thousands of people with MS. On May 23, 1994, officials from MSAA and NASA signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" to establish a framework for cooperative efforts.

This provided a springboard from which many joint endeavors have been completed. These include national workshops, equipment evaluations, and finally, a national clinical research study funded by NASA, in which MSAA staff played a significant role.

Enhancement of Cognitive Processing by Multiple Sclerosis Patients Using Liquid Cooling Technology: A Case Study

L.D. Montgomery, R.W. Montgomery, Y.E. Ku, Lockheed Martin Engineering & Sciences Company; and NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California (completed in 1997).

A Randomized Controlled Study of the Acute and Chronic Effects of Cooling Therapy for MS

S.R. Schwid, MD; M.D. Petrie, RN (University of Rochester, Rochester, New York); R. Murray, MD, Jennifer Leitch, RN (Rocky Mountain MS Center, Englewood, Colorado); J. Bowen, MD, A. Alquist, PhD (University of Washington, Seattle, Washington);
R.G. Pellegrino, MD, PhD, Maria Dawn Milan, RN (Institute for Neurology and Neuroscience Research, Hot Springs, Arkansas);
Adam Roberts, Judith Harper-Bennie (Multiple Sclerosis Association of America); R. Guisado, MD (Center for Neurodiagnostic Research, San Jose, California); B. Luna, MS, Leslie Montgomery, PhD, Richard Lamparter, MS, Yu-Tsuan Ku, MS, Hank Lee, BS, Danielle Goldwater, MD (NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California); G. Cutter, PhD (AMC Cancer Research Center, Denver, Colorado, independent biostatistician); Bruce Webbon, PhD (NASA program manager and principal investigator), Neurology, 2003, 60, pp. 1955-1960.

https://www.polarproducts.com/MS

6 Person Cooling System

It's summer and Polar is busy! Shannon (and future baby Liam) just finished building a 6 person CoolFlow active cooling system for a Nevada fire department. Behind her is our Active Therapy Systems ready to be boxed and shipped. 

The Emergency First Responder Rehab Cooling Unit is quick to set up and may be used anywhere First Responders are exposed to intense heat or are at risk for heat fatigue and heat-related illness. The cooling rehab system circulates ice cold water from a cooling reservoir to 1 to 6 lightweight individual cooling vests. This effective system cools responders during breaks or after action significantly faster than they can regulate an elevated core temperature on their own.


Follow this link for more information about our 6 person systems: polarproducts.com/emergencyandfirstresponders

"Cool" Studies for Athletes

Cooling during exercise has a positive effect on exercise performance and capacity. Keeping your body’s core temperature down while you exercise allows you to exert yourself more, for a longer period of time, before feeling the negative effects of heat from your internal body temperature.

The Study: Runners were tested while running for 90 minutes at a self-selected pace on a treadmill. First they were wearing no cooling neck collar, then a cooling neck collar and finally, a cooling neck collar that was refreshed every 30 minutes.

The Results: Athletes wearing just a cooling neck collar while running increased their performance by up to 7.3%.  After 90 minutes, the athletes wearing a cooling neck collar were performing at a higher level than those without any cooling. The athletes with a cooling neck collar ran further and their selected pace was higher at the end of the trials than those not wearing a neck collar. 

Deluxe Cooling Neck Wrap with Kool Max® Pack

Cooling the body helps with recovery after a workout or event (also known as "post-cooling")

BENEFITS OF POST-COOLING: 

• Slows nerve impulses 
• Constricts blood vessels which helps to treat pain and swelling 
• Speeds up heart rate which helps to clear waste products like lactic acid 
• Decreases recovery time for acute injuries 
• Reduces pain after intense activity or workouts 
• Increased energy

A 2003 study found that over the 15-minute post-exercise period during which cooling was applied to athletes, the Respiratory Exchange Ratios were lower in the athletes being cooled vs. the ones who weren’t cooled.

Conclusion: Athletes who were being cooled after exercise recovered their muscle’s oxidative capacity to regain energy faster than those who weren’t. 

Cool Comfort® Performance Vest, Neck Wrap and Polar Cooler 

Polar's Recommendation for Athletes: Our Cool Comfort® Performance Vest and Neck Wrap can be activated and then frozen prior to an athletic event. The frozen garments can be transported to the event in a Polar Cooler and put on immediately after activity for immediate full body cooling. 

Sources: 

1. Tyler, Christopher James and Sunderland, Caroline. “Neck Cooling and Running Performance in the Heat: Single versus Repeated Application.” 2011.
2. http://titintech.com/physical-effects-icing-workout/ 
3. Tenforde, Adam. “The Effects of Cooling Core Body Temperature on Overall Strength Gains and Post-Exercise Recovery.” 2003.

PRECOOL for Improved Athletic Performance

Precooling the body during warm-ups has become a popular method of combating the debilitating effects of heat-induced fatigue and to extend the period in which an individual can tolerate a heat-gaining environment. 

Polar's Kool Max® Zipper Front Vest with
patent-pending spinal cooling pack placement
is a great choice for cooling before athletic events!

WHY PRECOOL?

Cooling one’s body prior to a sporting event allows you to begin activity with a lower core body temperature and therefore extends the amount of time you are able to perform at a high level before your core temperature begins to increase and your performance begins to decrease.

THE RESEARCH

Interest in precooling prior to sporting activity has increased dramatically over the past few years, but is by no means a new concept. Researchers have been studying the effects of precooling a person’s body since the late 60’s, as shown in the table below.

The majority of the studies have concluded that cooling one’s body before activity improves performance. In a 2003 study, athletes who precooled before their 5k run on a treadmill decreased their times by up to 13 seconds.

Marino, F. E. “Methods, advantages and limitations of body cooling for exercise performance.” 2002.

Additional Recent Studies:

• “Precooling Methods and Their Effects on Athletic Performance.” Megan Ross, et al. 2013.  Provides a comprehensive review of different precooling strategies.
• “The effect of cooling prior to and during exercise on exercise performance and capacity in the heat: a meta-analysis.” Christopher James Tyler, et al. 2013. Focuses primarily on external cooling. 

Shop Polar's NEW Cool Comfort® Performance 

Line for Athletic Cooling!

Polar’s Cool Comfort® Performance line is constructed of a lightweight, antimicrobial, high-performance fabric with superior moisture-wicking characteristics. These vests and accessories are ideal for precooling, cooling during athletic cooling or post-cooling.

Cool Comfort® Performance Vest

Cool Comfort® Performance Half Vest

Cool Comfort® Performance Neck Wrap

Don't let the heat slow you down!

Many of us enjoy exercising outside on warm and sunny days, but it's important to remember that extreme heat (or overexerting yourself during hot days) can pose serious health risks. It is important to listen to your body during the heat! Heat exhaustion is a common reaction when the temperature goes up. It can cause dizziness, headaches, body stresses, fainting and cardiac problems.

The following are tips to heed to when preparing for an outdoor workout:

1) First (and most important!), don't forget to drink plenty of fluids well before your workout. Your body is about 60% water so plan accordingly. Drink before, during and after exercise.

Cool Comfort® Performance Half Vest

2) Dressing appropriately is also an important factor, so be sure to wear lightweight clothing so your body can release sweat. If you are exercising for more than an hour, be sure to change wet clothes to allow your body to continue to sweat naturally.

3) Avoid working out directly in the sun.

Take a hike in the woods,
and wear a cooling hat!

4) It's a good idea to take a 10 minute break for each 30 minutes of working out.  If you start to feel dizzy, have a headache, or experience muscle cramps, you should stop, rest, rehydrate and cool down.

Cool Comfort® Performance Vest

5) Cooling the body before, during and after exercise can help mitigate the dangers of overheating. Check out Polar's full line of Cool Comfort® cooling apparel for athletes, and learn more about pre-cooling, post-cooling and cooling after activity.

Improved performance can be an added benefit of pre-cooling!  Check out this article: "Exercising in the heat? Cool down for better performance"

Stay safe and be cool as you workout in the heat!

Polar Life Pod®

Did you know? Ice water immersion is the most effective way to quickly cool an overheated athlete. The Polar Life Pod® is a patent pending, portable, collapsible immersion system to facilitate the rapid cooling of athletes experiencing heat related illness, heat exhaustion, heat stress and heat stroke. Visit www.polarlifepod.com to see a graph showing the effectiveness of various cooling techniques.

Our Local Cool Kids™ Family

This summer we have had the pleasure of working with an incredible local family in Stow, Ohio. Three of the children have varying levels of heat-sensitivity as a result of medical conditions. These active kids can't just stay in the AC and miss out on the fun of the summertime, so we were happy to help them stay cool! 

The youngest, B. is just three years old. This sweet little boy was the inspiration for our newest cooling product, the Cool Kids Toddler Stroller Seat. He has IV line access in his chest and a feeding tube in his tummy, so at first we were concerned about the fit of our toddler cooling vest. It turned out to not be an issue at all and he loves his vest!

B. trying on his toddler cooling vest and playing with a truck in Polar's
conference room during a design meeting for the stroller cooling seat. 

We just received an e-mail from their mom, Amy, giving us an update on their summer:

"Here is a picture of all of the kids wearing their Polar Products!!! My girls have used the neck wraps like crazy." 

"B. has been doing so well. He is probably the best he has been his entire life here on this earth.  We have been using his cooling vest like crazy. I really think it has made a huge difference in him. It does not seem to bother his tubes. And it keeps him from sweating which has really helped keep the dressing to his IV line intact." 

12-year-old C. says, "I know this will make me
feel better during band camp!" 

"C. also continues to use his vest like crazy.  It is so easy for me to manage as well as him. We just fill up the cooler (which by the way is totally awesome and leak proof) from you with ice water (especially when we are at the lake) and we just recharge them in the cooler. My husband and I were talking about getting a timer to help us remember when to recharge the packs. Especially for B. because the packs are so little. But they are so lightweight and it doesn't seem to affect him or his balance at all."

"Here is a picture of C. letting his big fish go."

"I am very happy with the stroller seat pad. I can imagine that a younger or more immobile child would really like it. It is totally what I have been searching for. We found that if we kept a blanket or a jacket over it when he was out of the stroller it stayed colder for much longer. He was very comfortable in his stroller with the pad in. He wasn't sweaty when we picked him up out of the stroller like he normally would have been."

NEW! Cool Kids Toddler Stroller Seat

"Here is a picture of B. loading up his water gun to go after the ducks. He is wearing his vest. But he also has his tube feed pump on over the vest. (That is the clown fish on his back.) I think it's awesome he can wear his tube feed pump and life vest with his cooling vest on. That just makes it so functional for him." 

"And here is a picture of him sitting in the highchair in the water. B. is not allowed to swim at all. Lake water is loaded with bacteria that can make him really sick because of his tubes. However, he is a kid and he wants to do what everyone else does. So we put on his cooling vest and put him in the highchair by the dock. He can get his feet wet and be part of the crowd with his siblings in the water and yet we can keep his tubes dry. 

"We are so grateful for the gift you guys have given our family. It has truly been a blessing. I have so many wonderful memories we have built this summer because my kids are more comfortable and I feel like I don't have to worry about them and how the heat is affecting them as much." 

Amy, it has been a joy to work with you and your family. We are so happy to hear that your family is having a wonderful summer! 

Our customers are fantastic and it's our pleasure to work with individuals to expand on our product line and customize our products to meet their unique needs. We welcome your feedback as we learn and innovate. If there's anything we can do for you, please let us know how we can help! You can reach us at 1.800.763.8423 or by e-mail at polar@polarproducts.com. We look forward to hearing from you!