Compresses are a form of hydrotherapy that use folded clothes that have been soaked in hot or cold water and are applied to the part of the body being treated. They can be simply hot or cold water or water mixed with vinegar, herbal infusions or essential oils. The health problem determines which to use.
They are created with cotton, linen, flannel or gauze and are usually in three to four inch folds. However the thicker the folding the longer the compress maintains its temperature.
A variety of additions can be included to the compress water. Essential oils can be used to combine hydrotherapy with aromatherapy, add six drops of oil to the water. Apple cider vinegar, used to detoxify and reduce inflammation is another good addition to the water, using a tablespoon to a half a cup of vinegar.
Herbal infusions are another great therapeutic addition. Simply make a strong herbal tea and use that as the compress water. A few drops of arnica tincture for strains or sprains can be used where the skin is unbroken.
Hot compresses are used for pain, menstrual pain, stimulating perspiration, improving circulation of the local area, relieving muscle spasms, helping rheumatic complaints, reducing congestion of noninflammatory origin and relieving intercostal pain. Hot stimulates the absorption of cellular debris during the healing of injuries, relieves neuralgia, boils, abscesses and cystitis. Hot, moist heat relaxes contractions.
It is a good idea to use a cold cloth compress on the head during a hot application.
Long applications of thirty minutes to a maximum two hours are sedative. They are useful for spine and sleep problems.
Short applications of three to five minutes are stimulating.
Soak the cloth in the hot water, wring it out and apply carefully to the ailing area. Cover the hot wet cloth with a dry towel. Have the next hot moist compress ready before removing the first. In very acute attacks of pain, as in muscle spasms, renew the hot compress every few minutes, but most hot compresses can be left on from thirty minutes to two hours.
Ointments can be applied to the skin before the compress is used, calendula for wounds, arnica or analgesic balms for sore muscles.
Cold compresses prevent or treat headaches, help prevent congestion to the heart area, are anti-inflammatory, reduce the blood flow to local areas, relieve pain, prevent swelling in injury, sprains and bruises. They can be used for relaxation during crying jags.
A cold compress acts in an inhibitory fashion. The thicker the fabric the longer the cold will last. The initial effect of the cold is contraction. Then as the internal reaction warms the area and the cloth, the flow of blood helps to break up deeper seated or nearby congestion as in an injury or inflammation.
Dip in ice water and apply. Renew cold compresses every few minutes to keep the cold constant. Cider vinegar will help with pain and further swelling, and is also detoxifying.
In cases where constant cold is needed for longer periods, as in sports injuries, abrasions, contusions, hematomas, sprains and strains, use an ice bag or crushed ice in a plastic bag. Keep a towel between the skin and ice.
Cold compresses are used for ten to sixty minutes. Renew every few minutes. Massage the skin under the compress every fifteen minutes to help the body to react properly to the cold. They can used up to three times a day.