I have Multiple Sclerosis; will a cooling system help me? There have been many studies dating from the 1950s to the present indicating that cooling people with MS can help to provide temporary symptom relief for people. Many unconfirmed personal accounts seem to add credence to these studies. Consult with your healthcare professional how body cooling may help you!

Why Cool for MS?

Studies have shown that cooling can restore activity in heat-blocked axons, thus providing symptom relief. Cooling vests, neck wraps and other cooling garments can help manage heat-related symptoms.

Cooling can also help off set the heat load of exercise or over activity.

Talk to your health care professional about other potential benefits of cooling and MS.

Some studies have shown that cooling can provide a potential mechanism to slow the disease’s progression.

I have Multiple Sclerosis, what would the best body-cooling garment be for me?

Polar has been supplying cooling systems for people with MS for over 25 years! There are many different cooling products and different technologies available and the best one for you depends on your personal situation, activity and environment. Polar manufactures all 4 major types of cooling systems so we are uniquely positioned to help recommend the best one for your particular situation. A summary of the fit for people with Multiple Sclerosis of the different choices (Please note that before using any cooling garment for a medical condition you should always check with you health care professional)

Evaporative Effectiveness for people with MS:                    Excellent Cooling Power: Low* Cost:       Very Low

Cold packs Effectiveness for people with MS:               Excellent Cooling Power: High Cost: Low/Medium

Phase Change Effectiveness for people with MS:       Poor in most cases Cooling Power:  Medium Cost:               Medium

Active Cooling Effectiveness for people with MS: Doctor's Recommendation  Cooling Power: Very High Cost:                    High

Evaporative Cooling, a popular choice for people with Multiple Sclerosis living in low humidity climates and with an active life style.
Key Advantages: Excellent cooling in dry, low humidity climates, light weight, low cost, cools for many hours, great to wear when playing sports.
Key Limitations: Requires soaking the garment in water, poor performance in high humidity climates, lowest overall cooling energy.
Take me to Polar Evaporative Body Cooling Systems - low cost & effective

Kool Max Cold pack cooling, the most popular choice for people with Multiple Sclerosis:
Key Advantage: Very high cooling energy for moderate cost, light to moderate weight, effective cooling in all climates, cools for up to 4 hours depending on activity, may be used under or over clothing. In addition to general cooling, these garments are an effective method to quickly lower your body temperature after an activity or after overheating.
Key Limitations: Requires access to a freezer for the packs and time for the packs to freeze.
Take me to Kool Max cold pack Body Cooling Systems - Best Value!

Phase Change Cooling, the system if freezers are not available and evaporative is not a good choice

Key Advantage: Controlled release of a constant 58 degrees F temperature, packs may be recharged in ice water, no freezer required, effective cooling in all climates. Cools for up to 3 hours depending on activity.
Key Limitations: Total cooling power is less than cold pack systems; overall garment weight is a bit higher than cold pack garments and cost higher.
Take me to Polar Phase Change Body Cooling Systems - Convenient Cooling!

Active Cooling Water Circulating System, deep core body cooling, use only under your doctor’s recommendation:
Key Advantage: Active systems provide the most effective deep core body cooling. The cooling is adjustable, the vest is lightweight and the system provides extended cooling before the ice and water in the reservoir needs to be recharged.
Key Limitations: High cost, tethered system that requires power and an ice water reservoir.       
 Take me to Soft Ice Active Cooling Systems - best value active system available!