Heat treatments are placed at or near the site of the pain to relieve the pain. Heat relieves pain by: 1) improving circulation to skin and muscles, 2) relaxing muscles and reducing muscle spasms and irritation, and 3) decreasing sensitivity to pain.

  • Heat Treatment Options:
    • Moist compress
    • Instant heat pack
    • Portable hot water therapy pump
    • Adhesive warming patch
    • Gel/clay pack
  • Heat Application Guidelines: DON’T
  1. Don’t use if it increases the pain
  2. Don’t use on areas being treated by radiation or open wounds
  3. Do not put boiling water in a hot water bottle or on a washcloth - water temperature should be between 104- & 113-degrees Fahrenheit
  4. Do not apply heat directly over transdermal medication patch
  5. NEVER USE PRODUCTS CONTAINING MENTHOL WHEN USING HEAT
    These products cause skin to absorb heat more deeply and might cause burns (examples: Icy Hot or Ben-Gay)
  6. Don’t use heat on an acute injury; may increase inflammation or bleeding in area
  7. Don't use a heat lamp
  • Heat Application Guidelines: DO
  1. Regularly check skin areas for irritation or burns and document
  2. Think WARM, not HOT. Keep single layer of material between heat source & skin
  3. Use moist heat… increases effect of h
  4. Apply heat on the area for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours
  • Heat Application Guideline: CAREFUL USE
  1. Patient with peripheral neuropathies - use caution in areas where there is an impaired ability to feel
  2. On individuals with thin/fragile skin
  3. Heating pad, on lowest setting, while individual is awake
  • Necessary equipment for warm, moist compress treatment:
  1. Small hand towel
  2. Compress (e.g. flax seeds bag, clay pack, reusable gel pack)
  3. Thermometer (type used for pools or spas)
  4. Six-inch elastic wrap, or other device to secure the pack
  • Directions:
  1. Flax seed or clay/gel compress can be microwaved per manufacturer’s instructions.
  2. Place towel in warm water, or moist towel can be placed in a towel warmer.
  3. Check temperatures of moist towel and compress, making sure that temperatures of both items are between 104- and 113-degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Wrap warm moist towel around the warmed compress.
  5. Apply to appropriate area and secure loosely with elastic wrap.
  6. Keep towel/compress on area for as long as possible to obtain relief, usually 20 – 30 minutes. Re-warm when towel or compress is no longer warm. Check temperature each time the compress is reapplied. Typically applied intermittently on skin for 10 – 20 minutes at a time. May be used for any length of time if skin is not irritated.
  7. Try alternating hot and cold to improve comfort. Find correct area or temperature that provides optimal pain relief.

Adapted from:
Fouladbakhsh, J.M., et al., Nondrug therapies for pain management among rural older adults. Pain Manag Nurs, 2011. 12(2): p. 70-81.
The Nursing Home Pain Management Algorithm Clinical Trial, R01 NR009100, 7/1/05 – 4/30/10; Mary Ersek (PI)     Used with permission of Mary Ersek and HPNA (2009).  

Reference:
Swedish Medical Center. Nursing Assistant End-of-Life: Computerized Educational Program. Pittsburgh, PA: Hospice and Palliative Nursing Association; 2006.

PDF iconFAST FACTS - Patients: Nondrug Treatment: Heat - PDF Version