19 Standard Treatments for Gastrointestinal Disorders

19.1 Hot Stomach Wrap

See Section 6.3, Reflux, Gastritis, Gastroduodenal Ulcers, Dyspepsia, p. 170 ff.

Indications: Gastroenteritis, gastroduodenitis (with or without vomiting), Crohn’s disease and colitis, flatulence and tenesmus, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, scar pain after major stomach surgery, stress and nervousness, menstrual cramps, stomach ache in children.

Contraindications: Acute abdominal pain of unclear origin, febrile gastritis, appendicitis, severe heart failure, coagulopathies, thrombocytopenia, circula-tory instability, tetraplegia and other forms of paralysis, acute renal or biliary colic with fever.

Action

– Depending on the clinical picture, stomach wraps are used to reduce gastrointestinal spasms and peristalsis. The effects of the wrap are transmitted across the solar plexus and throughout the body.

– Clinical practice has shown that hot stomach compresses are relaxing, calming, analgesic, and antispasmodic. Moreover, they significantly boost the well-being of the patient.

Materials

– Small bowl with ca. 400 mL of hot water (80 °C)

– 2 compresses (diaper cloth), 1 dishtowel, 1 small towel, 1 flannel sheet (wrap)

– 2 hot water bottles

Procedure

Preparation: Fill the bowl with hot water. Fold the compress to an appropriate width and place inside the dishcloth. Dip both in the bowl of water until fully saturated. Hold the ends of the dishcloth and wring out excess water.

The drier the compress, the better, as far as heat tolerance is concerned.

Application: Remove the compress from the dishcloth and test for heat tolerance by lightly touching a few times on the stomach. Apply while as hot as the skin can stand without burning. Cover with a towel to prevent leakage and wrap securely in a flannel sheet. Place a warm water bottle on the right and another on the left side of the stomach to preserve the heat.

Duration of treatment: 20 to 30 minutes, or until the wrap becomes too cool.

Aftercare

– Remove the wrap after 20 to 30 minutes; dry off the patient with a towel. Again wrap in the flannel sheet and apply hot water bottles.

– Allow the patient to rest for 30 to 60 minutes.

– Record treatment (patient’s opinion of effects).

Slight redness of the skin after wrap removal is normal. Prevent skin burns by checking for heat tolerance before wrap application.

19.2 Hot Chamomile Wrap

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