Paraffin wax bath

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A paraffin wax unit is a machine that heats and holds paraffin wax, a type of wax used for candles. The wax is intended to completely cover the hand (or other body parts such as the feet). Its warm temperature is meant to provide relief from arthritis pain, sore joints or sore muscles.

1. Dr. ArjunPatel
MPT-musculoskeletal and sports science
Paraffin Wax-Bath

2. CONTENTS
•Structure of the bath,
•composition of wax and mineral oils,
•physiological effects and therapeutic uses of
wax bath
•Other Heating Modalities:
-Heating Pads,
-moist heat.

3. Paraffin wax baths
•Paraffin wax bath therapy is an application of
melted paraffin wax on the body parts.
•Paraffin wax for therapy is one of the most
convenient ,reasonably efficient method of
applying conducted heat to the extremities.

4. •It is one of the most useful of the superficial
thermal modalities .
•It is an easy , economical , and efficient way of
applying gentle heat to an irregular surface
such as the hand or wrist .

5. Paraffin bath unit
•Parts of the typical paraffin wax bath unit are
•container,
•mains,
•thermostat,
•thermostat pilot lamp,
•lid and caster.

6. •Containercontains wax and paraffin oil .
•Thermostat keeps the temperature fixed in the
range which is adjusted with knob.

7. Thermostat pilot’s lamp indicates
whether thermostat is on or off.
Power pilot’s lampfunction is to show
whether power is on or off.
Lid covers the container and casterallow
the container to be moved from one place
to another.

8. The temperature of the paraffin wax is
maintained at 40-44
0c.
The melting point for the paraffin wax is 51-55
0
c.

9. •If the only molten wax ,without the paraffin oil,
at 51-55
0
c is poured over the body part, it may
cause burn over the body tissue.
•So to prevent that some impurity is added to
lower down its melting point such as liquid
paraffin oil(mineral oil).

10. Most wax baths are kept at temperate
between 42 to 52ºc ,often at the higher
range for hand treatments and lower for the
feet.
The wax is molten in stainless steel baths
which are electrically heated; the
temperature is kept constant by the
thermostat. some baths are contained
within a heated outer water bath.
The more modern designs of wax bath can
be adjusted for height.

11. •They are light ,with a stainless steel bowl and
outer fiberglass shell.
•Initially heating is quicker with this type
because there no water jacket to be heated .

12. •The combination of paraffin and mineral oil has
low specific heat which enhances the patient’s
ability to tolerate heat from paraffin better than
from the water of the same temperature.
•The mode of transmission of heat from
paraffin to the patient skin by means of
conduction.

13. •The composition of wax: liquid paraffin oil
is 7:1 .
•Some also use the proportion at the rate of
2:1:1, i.e. 2 parts of wax, 1 part liquid
paraffin , 1 part petroleum jelly.

14. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIC
OF WAX
•Wax has a low thermal conductivity , and
therefore it gives off heat slowly .
•When a part is dipped in wax and the wax is
allowed to set , there will be no rapid loss of
heat from treated part .
•The low thermal conductivity of the wax is
prevents the patients felling as hot as in water
of the same temperature

15. •The wax is self insulating .
•the first layer creates a thin layer of air next to
the skin which acts as an insulator.
•Sweat does not evaporate and it also insulates.
•After the removal of the wax ,the part cools
quickly and feeling soft and pliable .

16. Physiological response
to paraffin wax therapy
•Heat production
•Circulatory effects
•Analgesic effects
•Stretching effect

17. Heat production
•There is a marked increase in skin temperature
in the 1
st
two minutes, up to 12
0
13
0
c .
•In the subcutaneous fascia ,there is an
increase of 5
0
c at the end of the treatment.
•In the superficial muscles, there is only about 2
to 3
0
c rise in temperature at the end of
treatment

18. Circulatory effects
•Local hyperemia and reflex vasodilatation due
to stimulation of superficial capillary and
arterioles .
•This is marked only in the region of the skin .
•The effect of vasodilatation in the muscles are
negligible ,but there may be some reflex
heating in the joints.

19. •Skin and subcutaneous tissue temperature
drops rapidly after 15 to 20 min ,reducing
vasodilatation .
•Exercise after wax is essential to increase
muscle circulation , and to use the sedative
effect of heat to obtain more range of
movement and muscle strength.

20. Analgesic effects:
•The most important effect of wax is its marked
sedative effect on the tissues.
•The moist heat is remarkably soothing to the
patient .
•It is useful for superficial joints.

21. Stretching effect:
•Wax leaves the skin moist , soft and pliable .
•This is useful for stretching scars and
adhesions before applying mobilization
techniques.

22. Indications
•Pain and muscle spasm
•Oedema and inflammation it reduces post
traumatic swelling of the hand and feet and
also swelling in hands affected by rheumatoid
arthritis or degenerative joint disease,
particularly in the sub acute and early chronic
stage of the inflammation.

23. •Osteoarthritis
•Joint stiffness
•Adhesions and scars
•Post –immobilization stiffness.

24. contraindications
•Impaired skin sensation
•Some dermatological conditions
Eczema,
Dermatitis
•Circulatory dysfunction patient with
Deep vein thrombosis ,
Arterial disease
•Infections and Open wounds

25. •Skin rashes or open suture
•Cancer or tuberculosis
•Allergic conditions
•Liniments
•Lack of comprehension
For e.g., children ,
very old patients ,

26. ADVANTAGE OF PWB
•Low specific heat allows for application at a
higher temperature than water without the risk
of a burn
•Low thermal conductivity.
•Molten state allows for even distribution of heat
to areas like fingers and toes
•First dip traps air and moisture to create more
even distribution

27. •Oil used in the wax add moisture to the skin
•Wax remains malleable after removable.
•Comfortable.
•Relatively inexpensive to replace wax

28. DISADVANTAGE OF PWB
Effective only for distal extremities in
terms of ease of application .
Most effective method of application is
the bath method, which limits
accessibility for other body parts to be
treaded effectively .
No method of temperature control once
applied .
Heating last only about 20 minutes.
It is passive treatment ;exercise may not
be performed simultaneously.

29. Methods of application
Various methods used for application of wax:
•1) Direct Pouring Method
•2) Brushing Method
•3) Direct Immersion Or Dipping Method
•4) Bandage Method

30. Direct pouring method-
•The molten wax is directly poured by a mug
or utensil on the part to be treated and then
wrapped around by a towel.
wax is allowed to solidify for about
10mnts.
several (4-6) layers can be made over
the body tissues.

31. •Because of making 4-5 layers, the heat will not
be lost in the environment.
•So ,the tissue will get the proper amount of
heat.

32. Brushing method
•A brush is used to apply wax over the body
part.
•Several coats (4-6) are applied over the body
part
•Towel is wrapped over the part.
•Wax is allowed to solidify.

34. Direct immersion or dipping
method
•The body part to be treated is directly
immersed into the container of wax bath and
taken out.
•Once the wax solidifies , the part is again
immersed to make another layer ,repeated for
3-4 times, and wrapped around by a towel.

36. •Once the treatment is given by wax bath, it can
be reused for the next session.
•Regular cleaning and changing of wax is
required to ensure good hygiene.

37. Bandage method
•In this method ,bandage of a suitable size and
mesh is soaked in hot wax and then it is
wrapped around the limb.
•Additional wax then can be poured or brushed
over the bandage.

38. 10 STEPS FOR
APPLICATION PWB
•1) An area to be treated is inspected for any
contraindications Like wound ,skin infection
,rashes etc .
•2) the patient is positioned in such a way
that the part be treated comes closer to the
container bath , clean the skin using tissue
paper/cotton.
•3) tell the patient in brief about nature and
temperature of wax and the benefits.

39. •4) drip down few drops of molten wax on the
dorsal surface of your hand to check the
temperature .
•This is done before the patient so that he/she
can prepare psychologically and fear of heat is
minimized .

40. •5) Using 4 inch broad and thin pointing brush
,paste few inch area on the part of patient .see
patients reaction ,tolerance and confidence to
bear the heat . then repeat twice or thrice .

41. •6) After the above steps the patient is always
found to cooperate and fear of molten wax and
heat is removed from the mind of patient.
•7) Now paste the entire area to be treated ,
and first layers of wax is formed .this layer
should not be thin .
-Like the same way, second and third layer is
coated.

42. -When the layers are cooled and patients feels
temperature has been reduced ,the wax
layers are broken down or the ‘glove’ of the
wax is normally left in place for some 10-15
minutes by which time the wax is completely
solid, so that can be removed in one piece.
•8) Always use small quantity of wax on the
brush especially when making first layer.
-Brush movements should be medio-laterally
and/or superio-inferiorly.

43. •9) after removing the wax ,area is checked for
any adverse conditions developed.
•10) the wax is applied in cycles for 5 to 20
minutes per day , for at least 10 days .

44. Purification of wax
•The wax is periodically purified by transferring
it in to a purifier before it is reused.
•The technique of purification can be:
the container with a wax is added with
water and the mixture is heated to 100*
temperature, till the wax is melted.

45. •After melting the wax the mixture is left
undisturbed and allowed to cool gradually.
•After cooling, the dirty materials will be
deposited at the bottom whereas the wax has
solidified at the top layer.
•With proper care the pure wax is removed
into the wax tank, leaving the dirty materials
in to the purifier.

46. Mode of action of PWB
•Despite the fact that skin temperature above
45*c can lead to damage, it is possible to dip
the part in the molten wax at 50*, because the
specific heat of wax is lower than the water.

47. •The wax transmits heat energy to the tissue by
giving up energy as it solidifies.

48. •Although the temperature falls from the outer
surface of the wax layer, the low thermal
conductivity prevents much heat loss from the
skin surface.
•It prevents evaporation of water from skin –
further improves insulation.

49. •Because of preventing the water loss from the
skin, the Rx tends to leave the skin with more
moisture , hence feeling soft and pliable.

50. Therapeutic Effects
•Relief of pain
•Relief of muscle spasm
•Sedation
•Increase of the joint range of motion or
lengthening of scar tissues

51. •Thank you