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

Most chronic pain can be relieved with hot compresses, but there is no absolute standard answer to this matter. It must be judged based on the type of pain and the current local condition. If you step on the trap, it may aggravate the discomfort.

Speaking of hot compresses, it is actually equivalent to "soaking in hot springs" for tight muscles and soft tissues. When the temperature is suitable, the twisted muscle fibers can slowly stretch out. Once the circulation is improved, the lactic acid and inflammatory metabolic waste accumulated in the local area will be taken away, and most of the soreness and stiffness will naturally disappear. I have met many old patients with neck and shoulder myofasciitis. After sitting for a long time and standing for a long time, they only have slight soreness and stiffness, which is a typical remission period. Applying a coarse salt pack for 15 minutes when you get home from get off work has a better relaxing effect than rubbing it for half an hour by yourself. It also makes you feel more comfortable when you sleep at night.

However, this operation is not suitable for everyone. I once had a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who was clearly in remission, but his knees were a little swollen from walking too much the day before. He thought of applying an application to reduce the swelling, but the swelling became even worse. It took three or four days for the pain to subside. Doctors in different fields have different opinions on this. Many rehabilitation practitioners believe that as long as there is no obvious acute redness, swelling, heat and pain, hot compresses during the remission period can promote local circulation and help metabolize accumulated inflammatory factors. The benefits outweigh the disadvantages. ； However, some doctors from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and Neurology will remind you that if the pain is neuropathic and chronic, such as post-herpetic neuralgia or diabetic peripheral neuralgia, the skin perception itself is abnormal. The temperature stimulation of hot compresses can easily irritate the nerves, aggravating the pinprick and burning pain, which is not worth the candle.

In fact, you can make a rough judgment by touching the painful area yourself. If the local temperature is similar to other places, or even a little cold, and the muscles feel hard and tight, and there are no tears or swelling, then the application is definitely fine. Just control the temperature at 40 to 45 degrees. Don’t be too hot. Applying for 10 to 20 minutes each time is enough. If you feel comfortable after applying it, it doesn’t matter if you apply it once or twice a day. If the painful area feels warmer than other areas, or looks a little swollen, even if the pain is not severe, don't apply heat yet. Apply ice for a minute or two and observe the condition for a safer period. By the way, if you have problems such as diabetes or varicose veins in the lower limbs, even if you are applying for hot compress during the remission period, it is best to ask your doctor first and don’t apply it blindly. After all, these people’s perception of temperature or local circulation status is different from ordinary people, so it is always right to be careful.