|
Moist
Heat is very relaxing to the body. It promotes healing through
increased circulation.
General
Use of Heat
Heat
application helps relax tight muscles, and increases blood
flow and nutrition to the area, which can help speed healing
once the initial inflammation has subsided. It also helps
the muscles and tendons respond better to being stretched
and exercised. This treatment should feel like gentle warmth,
never hot or burning.
Home
Application
If
you use heat application at home, a treatment time of 20
minutes (no longer) is recommended. Leave the heat off for
an hour or so between treatments.
Do
not use any kind of heat on a new (within 3 days) injury.
Although the heat will probably feel good at the time, it
actually slows the healing process and may cause increased
aching and pain a few hours after treatment. For the first
2 to 3 days after an injury, ice is a better choice.
Moist
Hot Packs
Moist
hot packs are a convenient and effective way of treating
with heat. Over the course of the 20-minute treatment, it
may make you sweat, but it should never feel uncomfortably
hot or burning. If it does feel too hot, let Dr. Cady know
immediately. At first you will barely feel the warmth, but
it will gradually get warmer during the first 10 minutes.
Dr. Cady will check on you periodically to make sure you
are comfortable.
The
advantage of moist heat over dry heat is that moist heat
penetrates deeper, so generally moist heat is preferable
except for people with arthritis. Call us today at 408-739-2273
to make an appointment.
|
