Cymraeg
Heat can increase the blood flow to an area which can help with pain and can make a muscle feel more relaxed and easier to move.
Using heat
It is not recommended to use heat on an acute injury but it can be helpful to reduce pain and improve movement on a long-term pain.
You can use:
Everybody
- Warm water – bath, hot tub, shower
- Hot water bottle
- Warm damp towel
Older children and adults only
- Microwave packs
- Steam rooms/saunas
- Heat rubs
Use Heat:
- To avoid burn or damage to your skin, ensure you wrap heat source in a towel
- Do not leave a child alone with a hot pack or hot water bottle or in a bath, hot tub or shower
- Be aware of the temperature – the heat should always be comfortable
- Check skin after 5 minutes for any signs of redness, blisters or burning
- Remove the heat after 20 mins and wait an hour to reapply if helpful
Do not use heat:
- Over broken skin or wound especially if there is active bleeding
- If you have poor sensation or over an area of skin that is numb especially if you have Diabetes.
- Over areas of the body with known poor circulation
- In the presence of infection.
- With a child under 6 months of age or a child who cannot independently move away from the heat or communicate their wishes– children’s skin is much more susceptible to temperature changes and their skin is more fragile
- With a child who has a raised temperature or fever
