Purpose:
Paraffin wax is a form of heat therapy. It can help improve circulation, relax muscles and reduce stiffness in joints.
Preparation for use:
Assessment: Therapist should first assess the guest suitability for wax treatment.
Skin Test: Always conduct a thermal skin test on the guest’s hand and wrist before using bath.
Temperature of Wax: Ensure the wax is at an appropriate temperature, 49- 50 degrees Celsius.
Thermal Skin Test
- Collect two clean, dry test tubes.
- Fill one test tube with hot tap water.
- Fill the other test tube with cold water.
- Place the hot and cold test tubes alternatively against the skin of the affected hand; palmar and dorsal aspects, including the wrist. Ask the guest to identify the temperature of the test tube when placed against the skin.
- If a guest is unable to discriminate which test tube is warmer, they are deemed not suitable for wax treatment
Procedure
- Roll clothing well away from the wrist and hand and remove jewellery.
- Wash the hand either with soap and water or a cleansing wipe.
- Instruct the guest never to place the hand on the bottom of the bath as this is the hottest area due to the element.
- Place whole hand into the wax for 1 – 2 seconds.
- Remove the hand from the bath for 3 seconds.
- Repeat this procedure 3 – 4 times.
- Wrap the hand in a paper towel then in a plastic bag.
- Set timer for 20 minutes or as desired.
- After the treatment has finished, assist the guest to remove the plastic bag and paper towel and peel wax from the hand like a glove.
- Squeeze wax into a ball – this can be used as therapeutic putty for exercising the hands following the wax bath.
- When the guest is finished with the wax ball, advise them to place it in an appropriate container for cleaning/disinfection.
- The plastic bag can be labelled with the guest’s name and can be reused throughout the holiday.
Contraindications:
- Malignancy (local)
- Local Circulatory insufficiency
- Actively bleeding tissue
- Insensate hands
- Infection to skin and other general infections, including colds, respiratory infections and influenza, diarrhea and vomiting and for at least 48 hours after symptoms have resolved
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – patients with an acute inflammatory flare up of their wrists and hands
- Open or very newly healed wounds. Loss of temperature discrimination
- Allergies to paraffin or other ingredients
- Acute dermatitis/eczema and psoriasis
Reference: https://www.shropscommunityhealth.nhs.uk/content/doclib/11584.pdf
Additional guides:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwZuxnPa_U0
Posted in Therapy