subject: Hot And Cold Compresses, Hot And Cold Therapy [print this page] Hot and Cold compresses are forms of hydrotherapy that has been used in 1800 among Greek, Egyptians and Roman civilizations. Hippocrates prescribed bathing in spring water for illness. Hydrotherapy was developed into a more modern style free from hassle of going outdoors just to bathe on hot or cold springs. Experts improve this idea into hot and cold compresses.
Hot and Cold compresses are known to alleviate swelling and pain after an injury or surgical procedure. It is better than taking drugs that can sometimes cause harm to the body. Application of compresses is a therapeutic regimen that everyone is able to perform. It doesn't require skills and license to do this your own.
The common urgent results of injuries are pain, bleeding and swelling to the affected site. To heal the body part, it is crucial to increase blood flow to aid in the growth of cellular flow. As long as swelling and infl ammation are present, circulation is blocked therefore, healing process is delayed.
Cold Compression
Cold compression is medically required for the first 72 hours to minimize local swelling and pain. First aid experts come up into the alternating use of cold compression, rest and elevation. This is more applicable to bleeding injuries to prevent more blood loss through application of cold pressure to constrict blood vessels and elevation of the affected part to drain the accumulated fluids.
Problems Respond to Cold Therapy
Bruises, toothaches, simple headache, insect bites and muscle spasms are problems that respond well to cold therapy. What you need to do is to apply cold compress to the painful area for temporary pain relief and minimize swelling or bruises.
Heat Therapy
Once swelling subsides after two to three days, heat compress is appropriate for more pain reduction and healing proces s. Heat dilates blood vessels for more blood flow that results into an immediate recovery. Dry heat penetrates less than moist heat. Heat compress is only limited to 20 or 30 minutes four times a day. Those with circulatory and nerve problems should avoid this therapy unless approved by physicians. Mild pressure is only necessary for heat therapy unlike cold therapy that needs more compression.
Problems Respond to Heat Therapy
Heat therapy can relieve muscle aches, discomforts from arthritis, sore and stiff joints, muscle tension and cramps.
Overall
Hot and cold compresses help injuries temporarily to minimize the pain or discomfort. It doesn't treat like surgeries or anti inflammatory drugs and Antibiotics. This is a supportive therapy to prevent complications. If you have no idea about this, you may even confirm with your physician for the approval and proper use to make best out of it.
