Paraffin Wax Bath Therapy and its physiological benefits

Introduction

Paraffin Wax Bath is the application of applying Paraffin oil and wax together beneficial for relive of swelling, pain and other associated problems related to it, and it said to be as Paraffin wax Bath Therapy. Paraffin Wax is a superficial healing and heating modality which is used to treat Chronic Joint Disorders and to reduce secondary muscle guarding. The heat is transferred to the tissues through conduction. It is mainly used for the distal joints treatment like Knee, Foot, Elbow of the extremities , wrist, ankle, hands etc.

There are several types of paraffin wax bath unit which are made up of stainless steel. The unit have a protective earthing connection. Ideally the tank for clinical practice should have wax capacity of 25-30 liters. The wax is molten directly by using the filament or indirectly with the help of water . The later method of wax bath heating is known as Bain Marie in which water is filled in the tank below the wax compartment. This is the safe method and heats up the wax quickly and provide even distribution of heat. It is also a latest method to melt a wax and is being used in physiotherapy.

Physical Characteristic of Paraffin Wax Therapy

The Paraffin wax bath therapy has it three main characteristics which make it as an efficient source of heat-

• Specific heat- The specific heat of Paraffin Wax is 2.72KJ/Kg/degree Celsius which is lower than the specific heat of water which is 4.2KJ/Kg/degree Celsius. Low specific heat allows for application at a higher temperature than water without the risk of burn so it means that it will not make people feel as hot as water at the same temperature.
• Conductivity- The Paraffin Wax allow to conduct more heat but slowly as compared to water at the same temperature. Low thermal conductivity allows for heating of tissues to occur more slowly thus reducing the risk of overheating the tissues. This helps in prevention of burn as tissues are heated up more slowly.
• Melting Temperature- The melting temperature of Paraffin wax is 54C . The ration of Paraffin wax oil should be 7:1. Petroleum jelly may also be added to the bath for an adequate lubrication effect that helps skin good and easy removal from the body.

Physiological Effects Of Paraffin Wax Bath Therapy

The application of heating effect to the body which helps the body to achieve decrease in pain and muscle spasm. When there is increase in the temperature of the tissues it also increases the vasodilation of the blood vessels which increase the flow of blood . Elevation of the tissues should be within a therapeutic range. The therapeutic range of tissues temperature should be between 40 to 45 degree. When there is increase of heat which is above 45 degree it can unnecessarily heat up and damage the tissues. If the rate of temperature increases very slow the amount of heat could be balanced out by the connective effect of cooler blood and therapeutic effect may not be achieved.

The physiological effect of the temperature in the tissues depend upon the rate at which heat is being applied to the tissues, duration of treatment and area of tissues exposed to the heating modality.

Some of the Physiological effects of paraffin wax bath are as follows-

• Neuromuscular Response- Paraffin Wax Bath Therapy raise the tissue temperature which alter nerve conduction velocity and change muscle spindle firing rates. Muscle spasm is mainly of protective type which results from overuse during exercise, injury, trauma and pathological changes in the tissues.
• Metabolic Response- Temperature elevation within the therapeutic range increases the metabolic activity and chemical reaction in the cells of the body. The increase in metabolic rate with the increase in temperature helps to increase the activity of leukocytes and phagocytes of white blood cells which enhance the healing process and restore the damage tissues of the body.
• Vascular Response- Application of heat to the body tissues elevate the temperature which increase the body temperature and decreases the viscosity of the blood and also increases the circulation of the blood. There is increase in nutrients leukocytes enhance tissue healing process which provide relieve in pain and muscle spasm.

Therapeutic Effects

• Pain Control- The application of superficial heating agents on the larger area increase cutaneous tissue temperature that result in decrease gamma afferent fibers. So, the discharge rate of muscle spindle is decreased that reduces muscle spasm and pain.
• Tissue Flexibility- Elevation of tissue temperature with following application of wax therapy increase the heat of local blood circulation , vascular membrane permeability and vasodilation. There is decreased viscosity of the ground substance within collagen. Prolonged passive stretching exercise with low loads along with the raised temperature and reduced viscosity elongate the connective tissues significantly.
• Edema Control- The Paraffin Wax therapy increases the local blood flow and membrane permeability. This helps in removing the necrotic debris, chemical mediators and excess fluid from the interstitial tissues. Application of heat on the large area can increase venous return and lymphatic drainage that can remove more metabolites from injured sites.
• Range of Motion- Elevation of tissue temperature results in increased local blood circulation, vasodilation. There is decreased viscosity of the tissues. Prolonged passive stretching along with raised tissue temperature further increases the plastic deformation that remains ever after the cooling phase. All this process of healing contribute to the reduction of muscle spasm, joint stiffness, pain and increases range of motion of the joint.
• Tissue Healing- Any type of heating agents increase the dilation of the blood vessels which increases circulation of blood will deliver nutrients and oxygen and remove the waste products from the damaged area essential for tissue healing and membrane permeability that is beneficial for healing of the soft tissues.

Type of Method-

• Dip Immersion method.
• Direct Pouring Method.
• Brushing or Painting Method.
• Toweling or Bandaging method.

Indication of Paraffin Wax Bath Therapy

• Chronic Inflammation.
• Muscle Spasm.
• Post fracture Stiffness.
• Rheumatic joint condition where direct heating is contraindicated.
• Arthritis Pain
• Sore joints
• Sore Muscles
• Fibromyalgia
• Reduce Stiffness

Contraindication of Paraffin Wax Bath Therapy

• Local Malignancy.
• Acute Inflammation.
• Acute Injury.
• Peripheral Vascular Disease.
• Tumors.
• Tuberculosis.
• Deep X-rays therapy.
• Open wounds.
• Impaired skin sensation.
• Generalized edema or local edema.

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