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Heat Therapy
Heat applications help reduce pain and muscle spasm around injuries or areas of inflammation. They also increase blood flow to the area which can speed healing. Moist heat is commonly used to help heal skin infections. Heat treatments should be used for about 30-40 minutes every 2-4 hours. Shorter treatments should be used if there is discomfort.
Different forms of heat therapy are:
- Warm water - Use a basin or tub filled with heated water; change it often to keep the
water hot. The water temperature should not be uncomfortable to the skin
- Hot packs - Use several bath towels soaked in hot water and lightly wrung out. These
should be changed every 5-10 minutes. You can buy commercially-available packs that
provide more sustained heat. Hot water bottles are not recommended because they give
only a small amount of heat
- Electric heating pads - These may be used for dry heat only. Do not use wet material
around a regular heating pad because of the risk of electrical shock. Do not leave
heating pads on for long periods as they can burn the skin or cause permanent
discoloration. Do not lie on top of a heating pad because, again, this can cause a burn
Be cautious with heat therapy to avoid burning the skin. You should not use heat therapywithout careful medical supervision if you have: circulation problems, numbness or unusual swelling in the area to be treated.
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