Therapies... - Hydrotherapy - Heating Compresses

Description

A compress involves linen or other material made moist by water that is medicated or not medicated and is applied to an area. A heating compress is a cold compress applied to a part of the body and covered by dry flannel or wool, which allows it to be warmed by the body through stimulating circulation.

Keep compress on until dry; or for several hours, then remove and dry area and repeat compress; or overnight. It is important to end the session with a cool friction rub.

• Cold causes an initial vasoconstriction, soon followed by vasodilation leading to tissue warming.
• Heat builds up in the compress since it is covered by flannel or wool and this results in further dilation.
• The buildup of heat causes tissue relaxation.
• Depending on how breathable the covering fabric is, the heat can build up and cool down through evaporation in a cyclic manner that encourages a constant and gentle self-modulating treatment facilitating overall circulation and metabolism.

• Abdominal compress:
  • Backache (have compress go all the way round the back)
  • Biliary congestion
  • Chronic appendicitis
  • Constipation
  • Crohn's disease
  • Diarrhea
  • Gas
  • Hepatic torpor
  • Insomnia
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Poor digestion
  • Ulcerative colitis
• Chest compress:
  • Acute mastitis
  • Asthma (if acute, start with hot first for 5-10 minutes)
  • Chest cold
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Cough
  • Early influenza
  • Pneumonia (if fever is greater than 39.5 C or 103 F, change compress every half hour)
• Throat compress:
  • Laryngitis
  • Lymphadenopathy
  • Pharyngitis
  • Tonsilitis
• Other areas that is indicated:
  • Arthritis
  • Boils
  • Cellulitis
  • Lymphangitis
  • Pain
  • Sprains

• Debilitated patient
• Chilly patient with low body temperature

A common type of heating compress is the cold sock treatment.