How to make a compress
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Compresses come in three forms: Cold, hot and alternating hot and cold. First lets look at the hot type.
A hot-compress is used to treat
- Old injuries
- Muscle pain
- Rheumatic pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Boils
- Toothache
I have also known people who use hot packs for fibromyalgia and arthritis.
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There are several ways to make a hot-compress.
- You need warm water
- A sink
- Get some warm water, as hot as you can stand it.
- Pour it over the cloth, wring out the access water and apply it.
Simple.
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You need a flannel or square piece of material
- A microwave
- Some uncooked rice
- A needle and thread
- Verrry basic sewing skills!
Method
- Get your flannel or a square piece of material
- Sew up the sides and leave a small hole that you can pour the rice into
- Pour the uncooked rice into the hole and sew up the hole
- Pop it in the microwave for about one minute then turn it over for another minute.
Hey presto! One nice hot-compress!
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A cold-compress is good for
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Inflammation
- fevers
A cold-compress is used for recent sprains, bruising, swelling and inflammation, fever and headaches. It can also be used as a pep-up when feeling tired.
Cold-compresses are made exactly the same as the hot-compress, but ice or refrigerated water is used instead of the hot water, and it is replaced when it has heated up to body temperature.
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Alternating cold and hot-compresses stimulates the circulation and helps heal joints and sprains and muscle injuries. Start with 3 to 4 minutes of heat and follow that with thirty to sixty seconds of cold. Do this about 3 to 5 times and end with cold. You will notice a big difference.
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