Hot Compress: Less Inflammation Means Less Pain

A hot compress can help alleviate pain by interfering with pain signals. But it plays another long-term effect that helps guarantee that pain won’t come back.

Using a hot compress provides comfort from pain by interfering with pain stimuli. Aside from blocking pain signals, a hot compress also plays a role in inflammation, further potentiating the natural pain relief it initially provides.

 

Why does inflammation occur?

Inflammation is supposed to be a good thing. The body mounts this reaction after an injury to help the injured tissues heal and recuperate. It helps you fight injury by doing the following:

• Inflammation brings about changes that help expedite tissue repair.
• It alerts a person that a certain body part has been injured and needs attention.

 

How does inflammation cause pain?

Inflammation consists of several changes that may worsen pain:

• When a tissue gets inflamed, fluid seeps out from the blood into the tissues. This phenomenon is called edema (swelling). The extra fluid occupies space and exerts pressure on nerve endings, resulting in pain.
• When a tissue is inflamed, substances such as prostaglandins and bradykinins are also released. Sadly, these substances activate nerve endings and result in pain.
• Because inflammation activates nerves to help remind a person that the injured part requires extra care and attention, pain is almost always a manifestation of inflammation.

 

Is inflammation always a good thing?

Although pain and inflammation play a protective role, they can bring about much discomfort. Pain may become intolerable and, if excessive or inappropriate, may be detrimental to one’s quality of life.

 

How can a hot compress reduce inflammation?

Using a hot compress works best 24 hours after an injury. During the first 24 hours, a cold compress is more appropriate. (Read about how a cold compress relieves pain).

A hot compress reduces inflammation through the following mechanisms:

• A hot compress dilates blood vessels to promote draining of inflammatory products and wastes from the injured tissues. Inflammatory cytokines are transported away from the area more effectively.
• Fluid from the swollen tissues goes back into the blood vessels easily if the blood vessels are dilated. Swelling is reduced, relieving pressure on the nerves.

Although hot compresses are quite useful in reducing pain and inflammation, improper use may lead to burns, compression, and erythema ab igne. Find out more on how to use a hot compress.

Sources:

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Fedorczyk J. The role of physical agents in modulating pain. J Hand Ther. Apr-Jun 1997;10(2):110-21.

Lehman JF, De Lateur BJ. Cryotherapy. In: Therapeutic Heat and Cold. 4^th ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins; 1990:590-632.

Helfand AE, Bruno J. Therapeutic modalities and procedures. Part I: cold and heat. Clin Podiatry. Aug 1984;1(2):301-13. [Medline].

Chapman BL, Liebert RB, Lininger MR, et al. An introduction to physical therapy modalities. Adolesc Med State Art Rev. May 2007;18(1):11-23, vii-viii. [Medline].