Cold compresses

Cold compresses with a temperature of 10-15 C ° are applied to limited areas of the body:

    In the heart area – in inflammatory and functional heart disease;
    In the area of the lungs – in some lung inflammations
    Around the neck – with increased thyroid function.

The compress is placed on the affected area and then covered with a woolen cloth. It lasts until it warms up, after which it can be changed. After termination of the procedure, the skin is wiped dry. Compresses with very low temperatures (below 5 ° C) are used to relieve pain, to relax spastically contracted muscles, to influence inflammatory processes in the joints. The compresses are made of towel or velvet, folded several times. They are immersed in a 2% solution of salt (two tablespoons in a liter of water). They are then placed in plastic bags and left for several hours in an ordinary refrigerator or in a deep-freezer.

Before use, the compresses are removed from the refrigerator, the bags are removed and the compresses are immersed in water. At a temperature of compresses from 10 to 15 C ° they are kept on the skin for about one minute, and at a temperature of 5 C ° – up to 2-3 minutes. The compresses are changed several times, after which the skin is dried.

Hot compresses

Warm compresses are prepared with water or in different materials – healing mud, trina, flaxseed. Warm water compresses are used to improve blood circulation, to eliminate muscle fatigue or to warm frozen limbs. The affected area is wrapped in a towel soaked in warm water, and hot water bottles filled with warm water are placed on top, which are also wrapped in warm damp towels. Hot water compresses are used to relieve intestinal cramps in renal and biliary colic.

Wet the compress cloth with water heated to 80 ° C and squeeze in front of another towel. After cooling to the point of tolerance, the towel is applied to the affected area and covered with a woolen cloth. Hold for 1-2 minutes, then change with a new towel. The procedure is repeated a dozen times. For pain in the joints, muscles and spine, it is useful to apply healing mud. The mud is heated in a water bath and spread directly or through gauze on the skin. A woolen cloth is placed on top. Trina represents seeds and flowers of tredi, which are collected under haystacks. It is rich in essential oils that have a beneficial effect on the skin. The trina is placed in a bag and heated in boiling water or a water bath to 40 ° C. Then it is applied on the body, wrapped in a woolen towel and left for 1-2 hours.

Flaxseed compresses soften the skin. The seed bag is soaked in hot water and then placed on the skin. When cool, it is reheated in a water bath and placed back on the same area of skin. Several procedures are performed daily.

Moist wraps

Wet wraps are most often made with cold water. It moistens a thin piece of cloth, which is placed on the body. It is wrapped on top with a dry and thick cloth that retains heat. Cold water causes a rush of blood to the skin, respectively a feeling of warmth. The goal is to activate life processes. In weak and exhausted patients, wet wraps are made with hot water (45 ° C). Hot wraps are affected by the shock of the large difference in body temperature.

The wrapping technique is simple. Wet a thin cloth with cold water (15-16 C °) and squeeze to varying degrees. If a strong effect is desired, leave the towel well soaked. The patient must have previously performed a warm procedure (hot shower, heater). He then lies down on the stacked wet and dry towels, wraps them around himself, and wraps himself in a blanket. A feeling of warmth should be obtained after 5 to 8 minutes.

Chest wrapping is useful in bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia. Wrapping the abdomen is done for gastrointestinal pain, hepatitis, inflammation of the bile ducts and pancreas, gastritis and colitis, high blood pressure. In case of inflammation of the pelvic organs, the external organs and the large intestine, the hips are wrapped, which is combined with the placement of a damp cloth between the thighs.

In allergic skin diseases, wrapping from the armpits to the feet is applied. With wraps of the lower leg, an effect is achieved in inflammation of varicose veins. Wraps around the neck and neck are often used for angina.

Compresses with varying materials

The mustard compress is prepared by immersing it in water in which ground mustard has been pre-cooked for 5 minutes (one tablespoon in 600 ml of water). The compress is placed on the chest, wrapped in a warm blanket and kept for two hours. It is very useful in bronchitis and bronchopneumonia. The brandy compress is used for various inflammations, bruises and sprains. The sore spot is covered with a towel dipped in brandy and wrapped well with a woolen towel or blanket.

Brandy compresses are not used in children. Milk compresses are used for fatigue, colds, joint diseases. They are made from unboiled milk or fresh cottage cheese. An oil compress is useful for tracheitis and bronchitis. It is prepared with olive oil or a mixture of lard and soybean oil. The compress is placed on the patient’s chest and back, held for several days, removed in the morning and evening, warmed and placed again.
In case of joint diseases and pains of muscular origin, hot compresses with half-cooked barley, boiled and crushed cabbage or scalded bran are applied. The materials are placed in a cloth bag and applied to the affected area.