Can hot compress be used during the remission period of chronic pain? How should women apply it?

Most women in the remission period of chronic pain can use hot compresses. There are only a few special cases that need to be avoided. However, if you apply it correctly, it will help, but if you apply it wrongly, it will inflict pain.

When I went to the pain department for follow-up, I heard different opinions from two doctors. The more conservative doctor said that as long as there is no redness, swelling, pain, or elevated skin temperature in the acute phase, hot compresses can help relax muscles and promote circulation in the remission phase, and there is no harm.； More accurate doctors will mention that if it is neuropathic chronic pain, such as post-herpetic pain and diabetic peripheral neuralgia, do not apply it blindly even during the remission period. High-temperature stimulation is likely to aggravate nerve sensitization. It only hurts occasionally, but after applying it, it may feel like a discharge every day.

My aunt who was in the same ward suffered from post-herpes zoster pain. I heard that hot compresses can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. She applied it at home for three days, but the pain was so painful that she could not sleep all night. She went back to the hospital to see a doctor, and then she realized that she had violated the taboo of hot compresses. There is also my best friend’s knee synovitis. In the acute stage, the swelling was like steamed buns. After it subsided, she still felt faintly stiff in the remission stage. She held the hot water bag and applied it for more than 40 minutes every day.

To be honest, I have been through a lot of pitfalls in hot compresses before, including Internet-famous traditional Chinese medicine packs and heating patches that are applied directly to the skin. After going through many pitfalls, I have found a reliable method. Take the most common chronic cold pain in the waist and abdomen, and neck and shoulder strain. The temperature does not need to be too high. It only needs to be warm to the touch and two or three degrees higher than the body temperature. It should not exceed 45 degrees at most. The hotter it is, the more effective it is. The constant-temperature hot compress device I bought before is just right at 42 degrees. When applying it, separate a layer of pure cotton autumn clothes or towels and don't put it directly on the skin. Otherwise, even if the temperature is not high, you will easily get burnt if you apply it for more than half an hour.

If your neck and shoulders are stiff after sitting for a long time, don’t slump in the chair while applying it. Turn your head slightly, shrug your shoulders, and let the tight muscles slowly relax with the heat. I usually get so stiff at work in the afternoon that I can’t lift my arms, so I wear a neck warmer bag and slowly move my shoulders while changing the plan. It takes about ten minutes to relax a lot, which is more than twice as effective as lying down after applying it. If you want to treat dysmenorrhea during non-menstrual periods, don’t just apply it on your stomach, but also apply it on the back of your waist. This will make it warmer and reduce the feeling of bloating during your period.

Of course, not all remission periods can be applied. In addition to the neuropathic pain mentioned just now, if the pain location happens to have skin damage, eczema, or dermatitis, don't apply it sullenly, as it can easily aggravate the infection. Also, if you have immune diseases such as rheumatoid or lupus erythematosus, it is best to ask your attending doctor before applying it, and do not try blindly on your own.

By the way, don’t think of hot compress as a panacea. It is just a means of auxiliary relief. If the pain becomes worse after applying it, or there is no improvement after applying it for a week, don’t force it on. See a doctor quickly to see if you have found the wrong source of the pain. It will not delay the business.