When is a hot compress versus a cold compress applied?

Written by Violeta West, BSN, ThD, PhD, DNM

A cold compress should be used for 24 to 48 hours after an injury.  The cold temperature will decrease the blood flow to the injury. It decreases inflammation and swelling. It is good for sprains, strains, bumps, and bruises. Apply cold packs or ice bags to injured areas for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Remove the cold compress for 10 minutes and apply it again. Make sure the compress is not freezing cold as it may cause burns.  Commercial cold packs are expedient. After 48 hours, cold compress should be used alternately with hot compress for 20 minutes at a time with a 10-minute break (no compress applied) in between.  

Hot compress is applied to relieve stiff joints or chronic muscle and joint pain. Heat opens up blood vessels. This allows more blood to flow supplying more oxygen and nutrients to the area. This will dramatically reduce pain in joints and relax sore muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The warmth also decreases muscle spasms allowing an increased range of motion. Heat can be supplied either as a dry or moist warm compress. The heat should be warm, not too hot, and the temperature should be maintained consistently. This hot compress should be about 10-15 degrees above the person’s normal body temperature to avoid burns. Elderly people usually have lower body temperature, about 97°F compared to the younger adults whose body temperature averages 98.6°F. A heating pad with a variable setting is convenient to use. Like the cold compress, the heating pad should be used for 20 minutes at a time with a 10-minute break of no compress.