A piece of cotton cloth, folded for moderate thickness, about two
inches wide and long enough to wrap around the neck or joint twice.
A lady's hankie (small size and thin), folded lengthwise, will do,
if to be applied on the throat.
A piece of flannel cloth, about four inches wide and long enough
to wrap about the joint or neck. A baby's flannel blanket or diaper,
folded lengthwise, will be just right for the knees.
Two safety pins.
If medicated compress is ordered, use the medication prescribed.
Vicks Vaporub ointment may be used.
Procedure:
Soak cloth with tap water. Wring and put around the neck or joint
twice. Be sure the wet cloth is neither too wet to drip nor too dry.
If medicated compress is applied, rub area with prescribed medication
or ointment. Do not wet the cloth with water but wrap the cloth around
the area dry after the medication is applied. (In applying a plain
heating compress, wet cloth is applied without medication.)
Apply compress smoothly and quickly to avoid chilling.
With the piece of flannel cloth, wrap compress snugly to exclude
air and pin securely on the side of the neck or joint.
Leave compress on overnight or at least for 6-8 hours.
Take care that the compress is not too tight so it does not interfere
with circulation and joint movements.
Rub the area with a cloth wrung out of cold water (tap water) immediately
after removing the compress in the morning or after 6-8 hours.
Dry the area thoroughly. Compress may be applied once or twice a
day.
Note:
It is best to apply a heating compress at night just before retiring.
