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
- Don’t use if it increases the pain
- Don’t use on areas being treated by radiation or open wounds
- Do not put boiling water in a hot water bottle or on a washcloth - water temperature should be between 104- & 113-degrees Fahrenheit
- Do not apply heat directly over transdermal medication patch
- 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) - Don’t use heat on an acute injury; may increase inflammation or bleeding in area
- Don't use a heat lamp
- Heat Application Guidelines: DO
- Regularly check skin areas for irritation or burns and document
- Think WARM, not HOT. Keep single layer of material between heat source & skin
- Use moist heat… increases effect of h
- Apply heat on the area for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours
- Heat Application Guideline: CAREFUL USE
- Patient with peripheral neuropathies - use caution in areas where there is an impaired ability to feel
- On individuals with thin/fragile skin
- Heating pad, on lowest setting, while individual is awake
- Necessary equipment for warm, moist compress treatment:
- Small hand towel
- Compress (e.g. flax seeds bag, clay pack, reusable gel pack)
- Thermometer (type used for pools or spas)
- Six-inch elastic wrap, or other device to secure the pack
- Directions:
- Flax seed or clay/gel compress can be microwaved per manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place towel in warm water, or moist towel can be placed in a towel warmer.
- Check temperatures of moist towel and compress, making sure that temperatures of both items are between 104- and 113-degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wrap warm moist towel around the warmed compress.
- Apply to appropriate area and secure loosely with elastic wrap.
- 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.
- 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.
FAST FACTS - Patients: Nondrug Treatment: Heat - PDF Version