The use of hot, moist towels in massage therapy, also known as hydrothermal therapy, can help tight muscles to relax, soothes irritated nerve endings and increases circulation. Therapists can achieve more results during a limited treatment session period by applying hot, moist towels to one area of the patient's body while manually massaging other areas, then switching as needed. Hot towels can be used in areas that would be unable to tolerate the pressure and friction common to manual massage, and the use of moist heat is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation to help to relax muscles and increase circulation in areas made tender by that condition.
Step 1
Determine what sizes of heat packs you wish to use during your massage session and fold the towels into the desired shapes. Remember that a variety of long rectangles, small squares, or rolls may be needed to fit the various areas you plan to treat. Use string to tie the towels into the right shapes if they will receive frequent repositioning or heavy use. Place the towel into a plastic cover or watertight bag with a zippered closure to hold the warmth longer and to keep the moisture where you want it. Add enough hot water to saturate the towel but not to have excess flowing freely from it. Squeeze extra air from the bag. Experiment to determine the appropriate temperature so that the water added will remain warm enough throughout the entire therapy session. An insulated beverage cooler that has been prewarmed serves well to keep the towels hot until they are needed.
Step 2
Apply one or more of the hot, moist towels to your patient once he is in position on your massage surface. Use a thin piece of fabric between the patient's skin and the hot pack if the skin becomes too moist and the pack slips, or if the heat is too intense for the patient to tolerate. Use a long, dry towel to wrap around both the heat pack and the body part to help keep the pack in place and to retain the warmth as long as possible. Make sure the hot pack does not leak--trickles of hot water and puddles of cold water do not enhance relaxation.
Step 3
Check under the hot, moist towel pack periodically to see that the patient's skin is not becoming overheated. Be aware that while the hot pack can achieve many benefits, it is not a substitute for massage treatment. Manually assess each area of the body being treated to verify that the desired result has occurred. Apply other therapeutic techniques, in addition to the hot packs, as needed to maximize the desired treatment.
Tips and Warnings
- Actual temperatures may need to vary since different patients will have differing sensitivity to heat. In general, the hot packs should be from 100 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. If you apply hot, moist towels without using a plastic cover, remember that they should be properly sanitized before reuse, as should all other areas that have absorbed or contacted water from the towel.
- Know when the use of moisture or heat would be specifically contraindicated and never use hot, moist towels in those situations, such as acute injuries, open wounds, skin rashes, and in patients with circulatory compromise. Pharmacist and massage therapist Randal Persad cautions that certain medications may also cause hydrothermal therapy to be dangerous for patients. Always briefly apply the hot pack to your own skin to verify that it is not too hot before placing it on a patient.
Things You'll Need
- Towels
- Hot water
- Plastic covers or watertight bags
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