The heating compress is very similar to the wet sheet pack, but it is applied to a particular area instead of the whole body. It is very useful in relieving congestion, inflammation and pain and increasing circulation and white blood cell activity to an area to promote healing.

Uses

• Sore throat – to throat
• Bronchitis – to chest
• Nasal congestion – to chest
• Laryngitis – to throat
• Asthma – to chest
• Pneumonia – to chest
• Indigestion – to abdomen
• Insomnia – to trunk
• Arthritis – to joint
• Tonsillitis – to throat
• Colic – to abdomen
• Cough – to chest

Items Needed

• Cotton material to cover the area (an old sheet or T-shirt is good) – 1 or 2 thicknesses dipped in cold water and wrung out.
• Plastic to cover
• Wool or many layers of flannel to cover
• Safety pin

Procedure

• Pray
• Explain procedure.
• Make sure patient is warm.
• Wet the cotton – wring it out well.
• Apply compress. Use a strip of cotton material for throat, or an old T-shirt for the chest/trunk.
• Cover with plastic wrap
• Wrap snugly with wool or many layers of flannel.
• Secure by safety pins, or wool sweater. Take care that the compress is not so tight to interfere with circulation, respiration or joint movement.
• Leave on for several hours or overnight.
• When you remove the compress, rub the area quickly with a cold washcloth.
• Reapply, if needed.
• Praise God for his helping hand.

Cautions

• Do not use a moist compress if the person is unable to warm it up (to young, aged, thin, feeble, or does not have enough heat to warm up a wet one).

Special Notes

• If moist cloth is used and the body does not have enough vital force to warm the cloth, this treatment will worsen their condition instead of helping it.
• As the compress warms, the superficial blood vessels dilate. By bringing blood to the surface, deeper congestion is relieved.