When the body is in pain, many people are accustomed to applying a hot compress. In this regard, Liu Dequan, Director of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Beijing Geriatric Hospital, stated that using a hot towel can indeed alleviate pain and has significant health benefits. A hot towel can treat ten ailments.
Liu Dequan explained that according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, "warmth promotes circulation, and circulation relieves pain." Using a hot towel is essentially a way to achieve this warming and unblocking effect. When applying a hot compress, one should use a clean towel, soak it in hot water at 40-45°C, wring it out, and apply it to the affected area. It should not feel scorching when it touches the skin. It is best to cover the affected area with a clean cloth or cotton pad. Generally, the towel should be changed every 5 minutes, and it's preferable to alternate between two towels. Each hot compress session should last 15-20 minutes, and it should be applied 3-4 times a day.
The following are ten common health methods for using a hot towel:
Relieving Eye Fatigue
Applying a hot towel to the eye area can promote blood circulation around the eyes, alleviate eye fatigue, partially relieve the symptoms of dry eye syndrome, and also has the benefit of improving eyesight and brain function.
Preventing Deafness
Applying a hot towel to the ears or gently rubbing and massaging them can improve blood circulation in the ears and prevent functional deafness caused by ischemia.
Improving Dizziness
Placing a hot towel on the back of the head for several minutes at a time can stimulate acupoints in that area, which may improve dizziness in some patients and also enhance reaction time and cognitive abilities.
Treating a Stiff Neck
For a mild stiff neck, a hot towel can be applied to the affected area, combined with gentle neck movements. Slowly bend the head forward and gently turn it from front to back and side to side.
Preventing and Treating Cervical Spondylosis
For early symptoms of cervical spondylosis, such as a stiff, sore neck or minor pain after being exposed to cold, a hot towel can be used to alleviate symptoms, promote blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms, and prevent the condition.
Relieving Chronic Lumbar Pain
For lumbar pain, a hot towel can be used to relieve local symptoms. If the condition is severe, one should seek medical attention promptly.
Relieving Buttock Pain
If the buttock muscles are stiff with mild dull pain or aching, lying down and applying a hot towel to the painful area can help relieve the symptoms.
Treating Menstrual Cramps or Abdominal Pain Caused by Cold
For women with menstrual cramps or abdominal pain caused by exposure to cold, a hot towel can be applied to help resolve blood stasis, regulate qi, and alleviate pain.
Sprains and Strains
During the acute phase of a sports injury, heat should not be applied. However, 2-3 days after the injury, if there is no bleeding or swelling, a hot towel can be used to relieve symptoms.
Removing Hard Lumps from Injections
Gently apply the hot towel to the area where a hard lump has formed after an injection. Apply for 30 minutes at a time, while gently massaging the area to promote blood circulation in the lump and accelerate the absorption of the medication.
Liu Dequan reminds that when the injured area develops blisters or breaks, forming an "open wound," it is not suitable for a hot towel compress. Heat should also be avoided during the acute phase of a sprain when there is still bleeding or swelling; one should wait until 48 hours after the bleeding and swelling have subsided. A hot towel should also not be used for undiagnosed acute abdominal pain or for conjunctivitis (pink eye).