Question

Hot & Cold compress

1. What are compresses?

2. What conditions would benefit from hot compresses?

3. What conditions would benefit from cold compresses?

4. How do you create a compress?

Answer 1

1. compresses are a common non-pharmacological therapy used in the treatment of things such as sports injuries, dental pain, postoperative wound healing, and ophthalmic conditions. They are believed to improve blood flow, increase oxygenation in tissues and help manage inflammation.They are of two types hot and cold compress.

2.

The Benefits of Using a hot Compress-

Hot compresses can help relieve the pain caused by injured or overused muscles and stiff joints.

In fact, this kind of heat therapy is one of the most oft-recommended adjunct treatments by orthopedic doctors for the alleviation of back stiffness and muscle spasms that result from chronic injuries.

When you apply the compress to the painful area, the heat penetrates the underlying muscles and increases blood flow to the site.

The influx of oxygenated blood brings more nutrients to the affected muscles and joints, helping repair injured tissue and thereby easing your discomfort.

The repeated application of a warm compress may reduce muscle tension and the associated pain. The trick is to keep using the compress every couple of hours throughout the day, until you register some degree of relief.

3.Benefits of Using a Cold Compress-

Cold therapy is typically used for the treatment of acute injuries that result from sudden or atrauma to the bones, tissues, ligaments, or muscles.

These injuries are usually accompanied by pain, tenderness, redness, warm skin, and swelling in the affected area.

Icing the acute injury within 48 hours of its occurrence can help provide instantaneous relief, but it is often short-lived.

Cold therapy is often used in conjunction with other therapeutic measures such as compression, elevation, bracing, and/or support.

When you apply an ice pack to the injured area, the cold penetrates the skin and constricts the underlying blood vessels. This, in turn, reduces blood flow to the treatment area and inhibits its nerve activity.

Cold therapy works by numbing the affected site temporarily, thereby reducing pain. It also helps bring down swelling by decreasing blood circulation in the area.

The pain associated with such chronic injuries tends to be more severe after exercise. The application of cold therapy after a workout may help deter swelling and pain. The effects of cold therapy are largely superficial and are unlikely to penetrate deep enough to reach the joint and muscles.Even though your skin feels extremely cold after the treatment, your body’s internal temperature remains unchanged due to its inherent thermoregulatory mechanism.

4.we can create compresses by -

Hot compresses - Dry hot compresses include rubber-made hot water bottles, heating pads, salt bags, rice bags, and other such hot packs that transfer dry heat to the affected site.

Cold compresses-

Here are a few simple ways to make your own cold compress using things you can easily find in your kitchen:

1. Dish soap-Liquid dish soap is a common household ingredient that can be used for making a cold compress. When you freeze this fluid, it acquires a gel-like consistency and remains undissolved for a much longer time than other liquids.

1. Take your regular liquid dish soap and pour it into a Ziploc pouch or vacuum seal freezer bag.
2. Place the bag in the freezer until the soap freezes to a semi-liquid state.
3. Spread a thin hand towel over the swollen area and place the dish soap cold compress over it.
4. You can also wrap the compress in a towel and gently massage the affected area with it.

2. Rock Salt - You can also freeze a solution of rock salt and water to make a highly malleable cold compress, which can be twisted and wrapped around your wrist or ankle. The saline solution tends to remain frozen for a longer period than plain water.  

1. Take some water in a jug and add rock salt to it.
2. Stir the solution for a while and then pour it in a sealable bag.
3. Put the bag in the freezer until the liquid turns into a soft jelly-like material.
4. Place a towel on the swollen area and then put the frozen salt water bag on top of it, or wrap the bag in a towel and then apply it to the injured site.

3. Rice- A rice bag can be used for both heat and cold therapy. Frozen rice granules can hold the cold for relatively long periods, making them an effective material for a cold compress.

1. Take an old sock and fill it with raw rice.
2. Tightly knot the mouth of the sock.
3. Place the sealed rice bag in the freezer for 2–3 hours or until it becomes chilled.
4. Apply the cold rice bag to the swollen or injured area.

4. Chilled Spoon-A chilled spoon serves as the perfect cold compress for the relief of the swelling and pain associated with a black eye. Apply the cold spoon to the bruised areas around the eye.

1. Take a clean spoon and keep it in the freezer for some time.
2. Apply the cold spoon over your eyes.