Fomentation for Body pain: When to apply hot or cold compress on injury? Know the right way and time, so that you get quick relief from pain and swelling, that too without making any mistake.

Fomentation for Body Pain: You are playing, walking or just picking up some household item. Suddenly your foot twists or your hand jerks. You feel pain and you immediately dip a towel in hot water and start fomenting. But have you ever thought that hot fomentation should be done on every injury or does cold fomentation have any effect? ​​It is often seen that as soon as an injury occurs, people start applying hot or cold compress without thinking. This habit can also cause harm and if not done properly, it does not make any difference. 

Sometimes while playing, sometimes while falling or suddenly colliding with something, we get hurt. But this does not mean that every time cold or hot fomentation will be appropriate. Because different fomentation can be done for each thing. 

cold compress 

Cold compresses are most effective when the injury is new and there is visible swelling or redness. 

When to apply cold compress

in case of sprain or strain 

having an injury that causes swelling 

get a head injury 

Sudden jerk in muscles

Burning or tingling in some area

Wrap the ice in a cloth and keep it on the injured area for 15 minutes. Do not apply ice directly on the skin. 

hot compress 

When the injury has become old or there is stiffness in the muscles, then hot compress provides relief. 

When to apply hot compress:

Can be done in case of old injury or sprain

muscle stiffness

back or neck pain

Joint pain 

Dip a cloth in hot water, squeeze it and keep it on the affected area for 15 minutes. Do not use it too hot otherwise it can cause burning sensation. 

Pain may increase due to wrong application

If a hot compress is applied on a new injury, both swelling and pain can increase. Similarly, applying a cold compress on an old stiffness will not provide relief but can increase the stiffness. 

Every injury has its own nature and every fomentation has its own right time. Cold fomentation is beneficial in newly occurring injuries and swelling, while hot fomentation is useful in old injuries and muscle stiffness. Next time when you get injured, think once before fomenting, do you want hot or cold? Right choice is the right treatment.