Can heat compress be used during the remission period of chronic pain? Why?

Hot compresses can be used during the remission period of most chronic pains, but it is not suitable for chronic pains with a few special triggers. The core depends on the root cause of the pain.

I have met many elderly patients suffering from lumbar muscle strain and degenerative knee arthritis in the outpatient clinic. They usually dare not move when the pain is severe. When the pain is severe, they always feel that the affected area is stiff and tight. They put a hand warmer on their waist or knees and apply it for more than ten minutes each time. When they get up and move, they feel much more relaxed. This is actually because after the warmth penetrates into the deep soft tissue along the skin, the originally tense and spasmodic muscle fibers will slowly relax, and the local blood circulation will also be improved. The inflammatory metabolic waste accumulated in the local area can be taken away by the blood faster, which is equivalent to opening a "dredge valve" for the congested local tissue. It can not only reduce the probability of acute attack, but also relieve the soreness and stiffness during the remission period. It can be regarded as a very cost-effective home care method.

But not all chronic pain relief periods are suitable for hot compresses. I just treated a young man with a history of gout for 6 years last week. His uric acid had just dropped to the critical value a while ago. He felt that there was no pain in his feet, so he thought of soaking his feet in hot water to recuperate. As a result, he had an acute attack after soaking for two days. His big toe was so swollen that he could not even wear shoes. The reason is also very simple. The root cause of gout is that urate crystals are deposited in the joints. Even if the crystals are in remission, they are not completely metabolized. After dilating the blood vessels with hot compress, the crystals will irritate the surrounding soft tissues more and directly induce acute inflammation. There is also chronic pain caused by tuberculosis, tumors or local infections. Hot compresses must not be blindly applied. Accelerated blood circulation may accelerate the spread of lesions and worsen the problem.

In fact, it is not difficult for ordinary people to judge. If during the remission period, the affected area feels cold and stiff when you touch it, and you feel comfortable when you cover it, you can basically apply it with confidence. The temperature should be controlled at 40-45°C. Apply it for 15-20 minutes each time, and do not sleep with it on. An aunt fell asleep while applying hot compress before, and the hot water bottle burned a large blister on her waist at low temperature, which caused unnecessary sin. If your affected area usually feels hot or red even if it doesn't hurt, or you have underlying diseases such as gout or tuberculosis, when in doubt, ask your attending doctor first, and don't try blindly.