Community resources: - Christiana Care Health System

Use of cold in relieving painUse of heat in relieving painCold may relieve the following types of pain, Heat may relieve the following types of pain:and it often works better than heat:•Muscle aches or spasms, such as neck or low•Muscle aches or spasms,back pain.such as neck or low back pain.•Joint pain.•Joint pain.•Rectal pain.•Headache.Precautions:•Surgical incision.•Do not use heat if pain increases.•Itching.Note: Moisture increases the intensity of heat.Precautions:•Do not use heat over skin where menthol•Do not use cold over areas of poor circulation ointment or an oily substance has been used.or skin being treated with radiation therapy. •Do not use over an area that is bleeding or•Do not use cold if pain increases.recently injured.Note: moisture increases the intensity of cold. Equipment for heat can include:•Remove cold pack if skin becomes numb to •Hot water bottle.avoid freezing your skin.•Electric heating pad.Equipment for cold can include:•Hot moist compresses (i.e., towel).•Ice bag or gel pack.•Immersion in water (i.e., tub, basin, whirlpool).•Ice and water in a plastic bag.•Retention of body heat with plastic wrap (i.e.,•A bag of frozen peas or corn kernels. (hit the Saran Wrap, plastic dry cleaner bag taped tobag on the countertop to break up theitself). Do not tape directly on skin. Wash andvegetables and mold to your skin).dry skin well before and after use of Saran•Slush pack (freeze 1/3 alcohol andWrap. A sock or piece of close-fitting clothing2/3 water in a sealed plastic containermay be used to keep Saran Wrap on. Maysuch as a plastic bag).leave on for 4-6 hours.•Towel soaked in water and ice chips.Application of heat:•Flexible cold pack made with a damp cloth or •Cover heat source with a pillowcase or one ortowel, folded, sealed in a plastic bag andmore towels.placed in the freezer.•Keep it at a comfortably warm intensity.Application of cold:Think warm, not hot.•Cover ice pack with a pillowcase or one or •Do not fall asleep with an electric heating pad.more towels.•Apply to painful area for 10-20 minutes•Keep the cold sensation at a comfortable level. (longer if it does not cause irritation).Think cool, not cold.•If you can’t reach the hurt area, apply the heat•Apply to painful area for 10-20 minutespack to any or all of the following sites:(longer if does not cause irritation).— Opposite side of body corresponding to•If you cannot reach the area that hurts, applythe pain (i.e., left leg if right leg hurts).the cold pack to the:— Above the pain (i.e., over upper arm if— Opposite side of body corresponding tolower arm hurts).the pain (i.e., left leg if right leg hurts).— Below the pain (i.e., over lower arm if— Above the pain (i.e., over upper arm ifupper arm hurts).lower arm hurts).— Below the pain (i.e., over lower arm ifupper arm hurts).Note: Alternating heat and cold every few seconds or minutes is effective even with severe pain.From McCaffery M, Pasero C: Pain: Clinical manual, p. 410. Copyright© 1999, Mosby, Inc. Permission allowed for duplicationand use in clinical practice.19