Arthritis is a broad term used to classify all sorts of pain and swelling in the joints. For those who suffer pain and swelling in their hands and feet, they may have heard that heat therapy can help soothe arthritis symptoms. Heat is fantastic for reducing pain from arthritis. This is because heat can help relax stiff joints and encourage circulation. Heat therapy can help increase blood flow, relax muscles, and decrease joint stiffness. Paraffin wax can also minimize muscle spasms and inflammation, as well as treat sprains. One of the best heat therapies is a paraffin wax bath. Let’s break down exactly how this remarkable therapy can help you.
A paraffin wax bath may look intimidating at first, but trust us when we say it’s worth investigating. The practice involves completely covering either the hands or the feet with melted paraffin wax. Paraffin melts at a relatively low temperature, and under the right conditions, it will not burn the skin. It offers soothing relief for your arthritis.
The best thing about it is that, with the right tools, you can perform your own paraffin wax bath right there in the comfort of your own home. There are many different types of baths on the market, and they all have their pros and cons. However, it is highly advised that you use this rather than try to melt the wax yourself. Melting wax in a microwave, for instance, could catch the wax on fire. Additionally, if you try to use a stovetop approach, you may melt the wax too hot and burn your skin in the process. Once you have a professionally manufactured bath, the process is quick and easy.
A step-by-step guide for your Paraffin Wax Bath
- The first step is to melt the wax. Note that you should never exceed temperatures higher than 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once your wax is melted, make sure you wash your hands and thoroughly dry them.
- With your clean hands, apply a hand lotion. This will help remove the wax after treatment.
- When your hands are prepped, spread your fingers and dip them into the wax bath, fingertips first.
- Remove your hand and let the wax set.
- Repeat the process until you have anywhere between five and eight coats of wax on your hand.
- After you apply the final coat, wrap your hand in plastic wrap and wrap it in a small towel.
- Relax for 15 to 20 minutes to let the soothing heat therapy do its thing.
- Once the therapy is complete, you can remove the towel and plastic wrap and begin peeling away the wax from your hand.
- Don’t forget that you can remelt the wax you just used in your bath!
Safety Guide for Your Wax Bath
The best thing about this treatment is that it’s noninvasive. This makes it a great option for many people. However, it’s not for everyone. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, you should not use this type of treatment. If you have any sensory issues in your hands or feet, the hot wax can irritate open cuts or sores, so it’s best to wait until your hands are free of any scrapes or cuts before you perform this treatment. The biggest danger from this technique is if you melt the wax too hot. This can burn and blister the skin if you’re not careful. We always recommend using a professionally manufactured bath to melt your wax.
Overall, this is a Great Heat Therapy for sore and Swollen Joints.
Once you try it, you’ll know how great the results are. Some people report a complete recovery with no pain after their first bath. Unfortunately, these results are not permanent. Luckily, you can reuse the wax and perform this procedure as many times as you want.
If you’re interested in trying out your own paraffin wax bath at home, we recommend looking at these baths HERE.
