A natural way to relieve pain without medication. Relief after just a few minutes

Healing compresses come in handy in many situations, they help reduce swelling and inflammation, and help stop bleeding. Healing compresses can also relieve pain and help with bruises. Healing compresses can consist in cooling or heating the affected area, sometimes they also use the beneficial effects of herbs. The question is when to use a given type of healing compress and who can benefit from it? Choosing the right option is important if you want to avoid worsening pain or simply avoid undesirable effects.

What are healing compresses?

A healing compress is any material, for example, fabric, applied with an emphasis on the area of ​​the body. It is usually held for a while and can be hot or cold, dry or wet. In some cases, medicated compresses are also given with medications or herbal preparations.

See also: They were used by cosmonauts and Olympic champions. “Plant enhancers” work on the body and mind

Healing compresses – types

Cold Healing Compresses – These can be used to reduce swelling and can be used in many different ways, including reusable ice packs. Cold healing compresses often work best in conjunction with other treatments, such as applying support to a damaged joint. Cold healing compresses for injuries are a key element of any first aid kit.

Hot Healing Compresses – While Cold Healing Compresses reduce blood flow, hot healing compresses help increase it. They can help relieve pain and muscle stiffness. Hot healing compresses can be applied with a heating pad, hot water bottle, heated gel, or other methods that can include both dry heat and moist heat.

Herbal Healing Compresses – Yes, herbs like garlic can help fight inflammation. You can make healing compresses from herbal infusion or tea before applying them to the affected area. If we decide to apply this treatment option to puffy eyes, make sure to strain off any herbal substances and keep your eyes closed. Remember, however, that if you are not sure, ask your doctor how and if we can include herbs in our therapy.

Compresses can also be adapted to selected body parts. Thanks to this, they have a shape that facilitates their use. At medonetmarket we can find, among others:

  1. a compress for the neck, nape or shoulder;
  2. knee compress – with a band for easy placement in the right place;
  3. a compress on the loin – it has a special elongated shape and a clasp that keeps it in place;
  4. ankle, wrist or elbow compress;
  5. blindfold-shaped compress.

Healing compresses – action

Cold healing compresses help relieve pain and encourage healing by reducing blood flow. This helps to reduce inflammation and swelling and can even reduce nerve activity, which helps with pain. Reduced blood flow means less fluid around the affected area, which reduces swelling. Some of the ways of applying cold medicated compresses also include home remedies such as frozen peas wrapped in a cloth.

Hot healing compresses improve blood flow and circulation, which helps to make muscles more flexible and relieve pain and discomfort. Applying a hot healing compress is a great way to relieve many injuries and sources of pain.

Healing compresses – advantages

Cold healing compresses – advantages

They Provide Extra Pain Relief – A study found that participants who wrapped their necks with cold compresses experienced reduced symptoms of neck pain.

Regenerate the muscles after training – the use of cold therapeutic compresses helps the muscles to regenerate themselves. One review of studies found that cryotherapy (using a local temperature drop to soothe irritated nerves) helped reduce muscle pain by 80 percent. of the analyzed studies. The study also found that people experienced 71 percent improvement in athletic performance and recovery. of the analyzed studies.

They soothe damaged tissues, joints and muscles – a cold healing compress can relieve sprains and bruises, reducing the inflammation that causes pain. If we treat an ankle sprain with a cold healing compress, recovery may take about a week. Cold medicated compresses can also help with repetitive strain injuries, such as:

  1. plantar fasciitis – swelling of the plantar fascia that connects the front of the foot and heel, causing severe pain in the heel;
  2. Shin splints (MTSS; Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) – inflammation of the bone tissue surrounding the tibia, tendons and muscles;
  3. elbow canal syndrome – involves stretching or compression of the ulnar nerve, causing hand weakness, forearm pain, or tingling and numbness in the little fingers;
  4. jamming tendinitis – painful blockage when bending or straightening a finger;
  5. tendinitis – swelling of a tendon as a result of an injury;
  6. carpal tunnel syndrome – compression of the median nerve causing tingling, numbness, or pain in the arm and hand.

They Speed ​​Up Recovery From An Injury – Since cold healing compresses help reduce swelling, they can also help normalize soft tissue function more quickly.

Also check: Do you train Here are the five most common injuries that can happen to you when you play sports

Hot healing compresses – advantages

They alleviate muscle tension and stress – muscle tension and stress usually go hand in hand. Hot healing compresses give a soothing sensation and extra comfort to the affected area.

They support the treatment of injuries – heat increases blood flow in the body. This effect can help injuries heal faster and lower pain levels after an injury.

They alleviate body stiffness – body stiffness can limit movement and flexibility. The heat from a hot compress or shower is a good medicine that can relax stiff muscles.

They relieve pain and cramps – body soreness or cramps may be the result of overstraining or exercising a part of the body that has not been exercised for a long time. Hot medicated compresses can help relax tense muscles and relieve swelling.

See also: Convalescence – after surgery and illness. Diet during convalescence

Healing compresses – when and to whom are they useful?

Cold healing compresses are the best choice for treating acute injuries and pain to reduce inflammation and swelling. This can include a variety of injuries such as sprains and other injuries to joints or tendons. Cold healing compresses can help soothe bruises and heal injuries such as torn muscles. They should be used for three to five days after the injury to help reduce swelling and inflammation. Apply a cold medicated compress to your knee if it is twisted or bruised, or keep ice packs on hand to relieve injuries to your ankles.

The use of cold healing compresses is recommended for:

  1. eye allergies;
  2. swelling;
  3. fever;
  4. acne;
  5. rash or itchy skin;
  6. insect bites;
  7. frequent aches and pains such as neck pain and toothache;
  8. tendinitis or bursitis;
  9. gout flare-ups;
  10. irritation;
  11. migraines;
  12. muscle sprains and strains.

Hot medicated compresses are best for muscles and joints. They can relieve muscle fatigue after exercise, soothe spasms, and heal conditions like arthritis. They can be used for injuries such as sprains and strains after applying cold medicated compresses. If a muscle or joint begins to stiffen, switching from cold medicated compresses to hot medicated compresses may help. You can use hot medicated compresses on your back, neck, shoulder, or knees to heal muscle aches.

The use of hot healing compresses is recommended for:

  1. congestion and pain associated with upper respiratory infection such as sinusitis and influenza;
  2. cramp / twist of muscles or joints;
  3. pain from an ear infection;
  4. eye infections;
  5. pain associated with a closed abscess of the skin (remember not to apply a warm compress to open wounds);
  6. barley;
  7. pain from an ingrown toenail;
  8. toothache;
  9. headache related to tension or muscle spasms;
  10. arthritis;
  11. clogged nasolacrimal duct;
  12. tendon pain after inflammation has subsided;
  13. menstrual cramps.

Hot medicated compresses include dry hot medicated compresses, such as heating pillows and compresses, and moist hot medicated compresses, such as moist compresses. While cold medicated compresses should only be applied for a short time, hot medicated compresses work best when used for extended periods of time.

When choosing compresses, it is worth choosing universal products that can be used both cold and hot. In this way, you can use, among others, gel compresses, such as Visiomed thermotherapy gel compress, currently available at a promotional price.

See also: Allergy – types, symptoms, diagnosis. Treatment of allergies

Healing compresses – contraindications

Sometimes cold healing compresses aren’t a good idea. For example, anyone with a sensory disturbance that prevents you from feeling certain sensations should avoid it. This is because if we can’t feel the cold, we can hurt ourselves. Cold medicated compresses should not be applied to stiff joints or muscles, and should not be used if circulation is poor.

Hot healing compresses should be used with caution, and in some cases it is not the best choice. For bruises or swelling, cold medicated compresses are often a better choice, especially for a new injury. Hot medicated compresses shouldn’t be applied to open wounds and cuts, but they can help heal a wound that has already been crusted. Healing hot compresses are not suitable for people with certain medical conditions, including diabetes, vascular disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Hot and cold healing compresses are an indispensable element of the first aid kit. Hot and cold healing compresses that can be heated or cooled depending on how you want to use them mean you can always have what you need at the moment. They can be used in the way most appropriate to treat the injury you are dealing with.

Both cold and hot healing compresses have their proper use, and their use for the wrong purpose can worsen our condition. If our joint is already red and irritated, do not apply hot compresses, and if the affected area is stiff and the movement of the joint is limited, do not use cold compresses.

Healing compresses – how to prepare?

If you do not want to buy warming or cooling compresses in a pharmacy, you can make your own healing compresses at home in several ways.

Basic hot healing compress

Start by boiling water in a pot and add tap water to it until the temperature is perfect. Then, soak a clean towel in a bowl and squeeze the rest of the water out of it. Finally, it is enough to apply a warm towel to the affected area.

Aromatic hot healing compress

In this case, it is good to fill a clean sock with dry, uncooked rice, oats or beans. Then add herbs or essential oils of your choice to give the compress a fragrance. Lavender, sage, mint, cinnamon, or peppermint can have a more soothing effect.

However, remember to leave enough space at the opening of the sock to tie it in a knot. If we want to use this compress permanently, it can be sewn up. In order not to get a final hard compress, it is better not to close the sock too close to its contents.

After closing the compress, it should be heated in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then you can check if the temperature of the compress suits you and take it out or heat it for another 10 seconds.

The compress must be applied to the sore spot. If the compress feels uncomfortably hot, remove it and let it cool for a few seconds before putting it back on the skin.

See also: Cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels

Moist hot healing compress

A moist hot healing compress, such as a clean kitchen towel or gauze, uses moist heat. Heat travels deeper into the tissues than dry heat of the same temperature. This form of hot healing compress offers a double benefit: deeper heat penetration and hydration of the affected area.

A moist compress is best used for relieving muscle pain and is easy to do at home. To do this, soak a clean cotton towel in hot water. Then squeeze out the excess water and cover the aching muscle with a damp and warm towel. Moist healing compress should be removed when it cools down. You can soak the compress in hot water again and repeat the application until you feel relief.

Moist hot healing compress with Epsom salt

Epsom salt is a water-soluble compound that is identified as a “salt” because of its chemical structure. The main ingredients of Epsom salt are magnesium, sulfur and oxygen. While there is no research to verify how Epsom salt helps with pain management, it is an anecdotally well-accepted pain-relieving treatment option.

To make this healing compress, put 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in 2 cups of hot water. Then you need to mix the mixture well until the salt is completely dissolved. Then dip a flannel cloth in a saline solution and squeeze out any excess water from the soaked cloth. The healing compress prepared in this way should be placed on the sore area and left for 15-20 minutes so that the tissues absorb all the heat. The process should be repeated several times until we feel relieved.

Basic cold healing compress

Start by soaking a towel in cold water and placing it in a resealable bag. Then leave the bag in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Cold healing compress with alcohol

It’s good to know that adding alcohol to the water will prevent it from freezing completely, creating a soft, comfortable, cold healing compress. To do this, mix one and a half glasses of water and half a glass of alcohol in a resealable bag. You have to put the bag, father, in the freezer for a few hours or overnight.

See also: Do you like a drink? You don’t even know what the consequences might be

Cold healing compress with dishwashing liquid

Freezing the compress with the addition of dishwashing liquid results in a gel or harder ice pack. In this you need to fill a closed bag with the addition of dishwashing liquid. Place the bag in the freezer and leave it for two hours to obtain a flexible, spongy, gel-like consistency. After a longer time, we will get a more icy, harder compress.

Also check: Poisoning with dishwashing agents

Cold healing compress with rock salt solution

You can freeze a solution of rock salt and water to make a very plastic cold compress that can be twisted and wrapped around your wrist or ankle. Salt solution tends to stay frozen for longer than regular water.

To make such a healing compress, pour some water into the jug and add rock salt to it. After that, you need to mix everything for a while, then pour it into a resealable bag that needs to be put in the freezer until the liquid turns into a soft jelly-like material. Then place a towel over the swollen area and then place a frozen saltwater bag over it, or wrap the bag in a towel and then place it over the injured area.

Healing compresses – how to use them?

When using a warm healing compress or other heat treatment devices such as a heat cover and hot water bottle, keep the following suggestions in mind.

  1. Avoid injuring or burning your skin with unpleasantly hot compresses.
  2. You can put a towel or cloth between the skin and the compress to prevent burns.
  3. Do not heat cuts and damaged parts of the body.
  4. Do not apply a hot compress for more than 20 minutes at a time.

When using cold medicated compresses, keep the following points in mind.

  1. Place a towel or cloth between the skin and the compress to avoid irritation and damage to the skin.
  2. Do not use cold medicated compresses if you have circulation problems.
  3. Do not apply a cold compress for more than 20 minutes. Remove the compress if the skin is already too cold.
  4. Immediately remove the source of cold when the skin becomes very numb, blotchy, bright red, or blistered.

When using a warm or cold compress, always check your skin for color changes, rashes, or blisters to be safe.

Do you want to try healing compresses? Check out the universal dark-cold compress made of Dead Sea membrane available at medonetmarket.pl.

Healing compresses – combination therapy

While treatments with hot and cold compresses serve individual purposes in relieving pain and inflammation, there are certain conditions or injuries that are best treated with a combination of both.

Combination therapy essentially involves alternating cold and warm compresses at the site of the injury. It is often recommended for back pain, but only after an appropriate medical examination. Back injuries can be quite serious and can lead to long-term complications if not treated properly. Therefore, first check the trauma with a specialist to determine if combination therapy is the right route.

The doctor will determine which therapy will precede the second and the duration of the entire process, depending on the cause or type of pain.

Leave a Reply