Paraffin Bath
A Paraffin Bath is particularly beneficial for those who have problems with cracked fingers and hands and people with soreness inside your joints. Physiotherapists highly recommend their patients to use this kind of heat treatment since the paraffin distributes the warmth to your joints equally. By having an even distribution of heat, this effectively minimizes stiffness and soreness within the joints.
This type of special bath is a well established treatment once used to reduce aching muscles and tender joints. It has been confirmed to be helpful for arthritis sufferers, as it has an enormous impact on aching muscles and the tissues directly. Joint fluids build up around the joints, and the bath helps eliminate it therefore allowing flexible joint motion.
Other individuals which could significantly benefit from the paraffin bath are people that have problems with Scleroderma which causes your hands and fingers to crack and split open. Should you have Raynaud’s disease, which is an ailment that your fingers turn blue during the winter months or from the cold, a soothing paraffin bath will warm you to the bone.
So how exactly does the Paraffin Bath work?
Paraffin bath is a kind of heat therapy which can be done in the home using a paraffin wax machine. Paraffin bath is of perfect size to fit your hands, feet and elbows. Wax is put in the insulated container of the bath.
Melt the wax in a paraffin wax machine, following the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
Once the wax is melted and ready to use, check the temperature of the wax by brushing a small amount on your wrist. If the wax is too hot, turn down the temperature on the machine (or disconnect the machine, in the event the temperature can’t be adjusted) and allow the wax to cool slightly before testing it once again on your wrist.
Once the wax gets to the proper temperature for your level of comfort, you are ready to start the paraffin treatment.
The areas being treated are dipped in the bath; once the first coating dries additional layers are added through numerous dips.
Then your treated areas are covered in plastic, booties or mitts for at least 15 minutes to further hold in the heat from the wax.
Hands may be dipped in dissolved paraffin wax for conditioning and hydrating. The wax is left on for 15-20 minutes allowing the heat to penetrate; then it’s peeled off.
Am I Allowed To reuse the paraffin wax?
If the paraffin wax bath is for personal use only, you may recycle the wax remaining in the tub and replenish the paraffin wax as needed. Do not reuse the wax layer taken off your skin around the treatment area, as it now contains the dead skin cells. In the event the paraffin bath is used by more than one person, use new paraffin wax for each and every treatment.
Can I make my own paraffin bath?
To make a wax bath in your own home, you’ll need: 4 lbs. paraffin, that you can get generally in most grocery stores near the food canning supplies. The paraffin really should have a melting point of 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Also required are 1 cup of scented or unscented mineral oil; two hand towels; two small (quart-sized) plastic bags; a crock pot or a paraffin wax melter; a long-handled spoon to stir the wax; and a candy thermometer to accurately and safely check the temperature of the melted wax.
Precautions to take:
- Paraffin bath treatments are not advised for everybody. Should you suffer from hypertension, diabetes, varicose veins or any other circulatory conditions, you should seek advice from your physician before using the paraffin bath.
- It shouldn’t be used on open wounds or in areas with extremely poor circulation. Special caution should be taken to make certain that any area of the body that comes in contact with the paraffin bath is cleaned prior to treatment. The individual should be observed if having signs and symptoms of discomfort or possible burns during the treatment.
Testimonials for the Paraffin Bath:
“I like my paraffin bath, too. The worse I feel, the better the wax feels. I find that the wax melts quicker when it’s in small chunks.”
“I use the paraffin bath for arthritic hand pain.”
“Do not buy just any paraffin bath, not all are alike.”
Finally, a paraffin bath treatment helps to provide relief from chronic aches and pains in your body. Additionally it is an excellent treatment for hands and wrists which need relief from muscle stress.
Additionally, it moisturizes dried up hands, and heals dry and cracked fingers, hands and even feet! And don’t forget your elbows!
You could get it done in a salon, but it can be very costly and it also requires making an appointment!
