Can hot compress be applied during the remission period of chronic pain? How long will it take to get better?

Hot compresses can be used in most cases during the remission period of chronic pain. There is no unified standard for recovery time. Mild muscle strain pain can be basically relieved in 1 to 2 weeks. Chronic pain caused by severe organic lesions may require months or even year-round maintenance intervention to control symptoms.

I have come into contact with many patients with chronic pain. Many people do not dare to apply heat casually when they first enter the remission period, for fear of irritation and pain. In fact, as long as there is no local redness, swelling, heat, or abnormal skin sensation during the remission period, and you will not feel pain or itching after applying it, you can apply it with confidence. The temperature of 40 to 45 degrees is just right. Apply it with a thin towel for 15 to 20 minutes. It is warm and hot. It can rub away the muscles and fascia that have been tight for several days. The local blood circulation will increase, and the accumulated inflammatory waste will be metabolized faster. The soreness and swelling will disappear very quickly. There was a little girl who worked in design who suffered from lumbar muscle strain for more than three months. After the acute phase, her waist became as hard as a stone after sitting for half an hour. She applied it on her waist for 20 minutes every day when she got home from get off work, and occasionally did two sets of stretching. After only about 10 days, she said that she was no longer so sore that she couldn't straighten her waist even after sitting for an afternoon.

However, not everyone is suitable for hot compresses during the remission period. Now many doctors in clinical practice have pointed out that if you suffer from neuropathic chronic pain such as post-herpetic neuralgia and diabetic peripheral neuralgia, hot compresses are likely to irritate already sensitized nerves and worsen the pain.； There are also patients with hypoesthesia on their skin who are not sensitive to temperature and may suffer low-temperature burns if they are not careful. It is not recommended to blindly apply it at home. There was an uncle who had been suffering from diabetes for almost 10 years. His knees always felt cold. He applied a hot water bottle to the knee for more than half an hour but didn't feel hot. As a result, he developed a blister the next day, which took almost half a month to heal.

As for what everyone is most concerned about, how long it will take to recover, there is really no accurate estimate. If it is just a simple muscle and fascial strain without any organic damage, take good care of yourself during the remission period, use hot compresses and appropriate activities, and you will basically feel nothing in a week or two. ； However, if there are organic changes such as lumbar disc herniation, nerve compression, or rotator cuff tear, hot compresses can only help relieve discomfort, but cannot solve the problem from the root. If you do not cooperate with rehabilitation or treatment, the pain may come to your door again and again. In severe cases, year-round intervention may be required to maintain a state that does not affect your life. I once met a patient in his fifties who had a rotator cuff injury. It took almost a year for the pain to enter the remission period. He insisted on applying hot compresses every day and doing rehabilitation training every week. It also took him less than half a year to lift his arm without any pain.

To be honest, don’t think that hot compress can cure chronic pain, and don’t completely deny its effect. If you feel comfortable after applying it, continue using it. If you feel uncomfortable after applying it, stop immediately. If you are not sure, ask a doctor, which is much safer than trying it on your own.