MOIST HEAT THERAPY & PARAFFIN

WAX BATH

BY
SNEHA LATHA G
MOIST HEAT THERAPY
 INTRODUCTION

 Moist heat is a therapeutic heat therapy that penetrates between 1to 5mm
below the skin surface.

 The treatment is given by using hydro collator packs or hot pack .

 Hot packs are the way of transferring heat to the patient by conduction .

 It is the most common way to deliver superficial heat .

 The heating unit is called HYDRO COLLATOR UNIT.

HYDRO COLLATOR UNIT
 The hydro-collator unit is a stainless steel tank in which silica gel packs or
bentonite crystal packs are heated.

 The capacity of machine vary, and all units have insulated bases, the larger
machines being insulated with fiberglass.

 The unit contains a wire rack which acts as a divider for the packs and
prevent contact of packs with the bottom of the tank.

 These packs are stored in thermo statically controlled and maintained water
in the unit in a temperature between 70°c to 80°c .

 A hydro collator pack is good in any situation that require penetrating heat.
 HYDRO COLLATOR PACK
 A hydro collator pack is a fabric envelope containing silica gel or bentonite
crystal .

 The main property of the gel or crystal is its capability to absorb many times
its own volume of water .

 Provides a considerable store of heat energy.

 These packs are heated in hydro collator unit, it gives moist heat for 30 to 40
minutes.

 Packs comes in various sizes and shapes, a special collar pattern pack for the
neck is usually available, they lasts about 6 months.

 The pack is applied to the body after being wrapped adequately in towel or
blanket this gives THERMAL INSULATION.

 The pack is above 75°c & the skin temperature does not rise above 40°c or
 ALTERNATE WAY OF HEAT THERAPY

 The alternate way of using heat therapy is towel or cloth.

 In some rural areas the hydro collator packs are not available

 So people over there use this alternate method .

APPLICATION

 Take a bowl of water and heat it

 Now dip the towel or cloth into hot water

 Squeeze the towel to drop the excess water

 And place it on the required area.

 PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HEAT
 HEMO DYNAMIC EFFECT

 NEURO MUSCULAR EFFECT

 METABOLIC EFFECT

 TISSUE EXTENSIBILLITY
HEMO DYNAMIC EFFECT
NEUROLOGICAL EFFECT
 Increased nerve conduction velocity

 Increased pain threshold

 Change in muscle strength

METABOLIC EFFECT
 Increased metabolic rate

TISSUE EXTENSIBILITY
 Increased tissue extensibility
 APPLICATION

 Remove the pack from the unit and take it on a towel.

 Fold another towel into 4to 6 layers & place it over the pack.

 Wrap the whole pack up with the bottom towel.

 The temperature of the wrapped pack should not exceed the 44°c.

 Monitor the initial response from the patient to treatment during the first 5 to
10 minutes.

 Ask the patient for feedback & the visually inspecting the skin.

 If necessary, adjust the layers of towel .

 During the treatment maintain the position of the heat pack.

CARE OF THE UNIT
 The water level should be kept up to ¾ th full of water slightly over the top of the
packs at all times.
 The unit should be cleaned periodically

ADVANTAGES
 A hydro collator pack is easy to apply.

 Packs are of various sizes which fit most clinical needs.

 Low cost, minimal maintenance, long life.

 The patient does not need much handling.

 The pads can be laid out ready for the patients to place on the effected part.

DISADVANTAGES
 It is somewhat heavy and should not be used on extremely sensitive patients,
since it create discomfort.
 Sometimes moist packs have a tendency to cause a skin rash.
PARAFFINS WAX BATH
 INTRODUCTION

 Paraffin wax bath therapy is an application of the molten wax on the body parts.

 It is one of the most effective ways of applying heat to improve mobility by

warming the connective tissues.

 This therapy is used along with exercise program.

 The melting point of wax is 51 to 55°c.

 If the molten wax at 51 to 55°c is poured to body parts, it may cause burns.

 Some impurities like liquid paraffin or mineral oil is added to lower the melting
point for safe application.

 Thus the temperature of the paraffin wax is maintained to 40 to 44°c. this

enhances the patients ability of tolerate heat.

 The composition of the wax : paraffin: mineral oil is 7:3:1

 CHARACTERISTICS OF PARRAFIN WAX BATH
PARAFFIN HAS A SLOW THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
 Slow heat diffusion ( 6 times lower than water ).

 Paraffin wax has low melting point (55°).

 When the oil is added, the paraffin will remain at a temperature of 40°to 44°c.

SELF INSULATOR
 It gives moist heat, there is a layer between skin and the wax producing heat
and sweating does not evaporate.

 After removal the heated parts cools quickly by evaporated.

ANALGESIC
 This insulating layer keeps the heat and is effective in relief in pain.
 PARAFFIN WAX BATH UNIT

 Container is made up of enameled baths or stainless steel and fiberglass

shell.

 Container contains wax and paraffin oil in prescribed ratio.

 Thermostat keeps the temperature adjusted with the knob.

 Thermostat pilots lamp indicates whether the thermostat is on or off .

 Power pilots lamp show whether the power is on or off.

 Lid covers the container and caster allows the paraffin wax bath container to
be move from place to place.
 METHODS OF APPLICATION

 DIPPING AND WRAP

 IMMERSIONS

 DIRECT POURING METHOD

 TOWELING AND BANDAGING METHOD

 BRUSHING METHOD
 DIPPING AND WRAP METHOD

 Most common method

 Involves placing the body parts to be treated in a paraffin bath, followed by

removing it and allowing the paraffin to cool and harden.

 Approximately 7 to 12 dips are done.

 Followed by wrapping in wax paper or plastic, which is cover by towels or

insulated mitts.

 Applications time is 20 to 30 minutes or till wax cool.

 IMMERSION METHOD

 Dip once for having a glove.

 Then immerse for 15 to 20 min.

 Never immerse at first for long time without making a glove.

 Dry before to have insulations

 DIRECT POURING METHOD

 The molten wax is directly poured by a mug or utensil.

 Wrapped around by a towel.

 The wax is allowed to solidify for about 10 to 20 minutes.

 Several (4-6) layers can be made over the body tissue.

 TOWELING AND BANDANGING METHOD

 A towel or a roll of bandage is immersed in molten paraffin wax

 And wrapped around the body parts.

 Several layers can be made .

 This method is preferably used for treating proximal parts of the body.
 BRUSHING METHOD
 It is a less commonly used method of paraffin wax application.

 8 to 10 coats are applied to the area with a paint brush using even and rapid
strokes.

 The area is then wrapped with towel for 10 to 20 minutes and after this time,
paraffin wax removed and discarded.
 PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PWB
HEAT PRODUCTION
 There is a marked increase in skin temperature in the 1st two minutes , up to 12-
13°c.this drop, while in the wax wrapping to an increase of about 8°c at the end of 30
minutes.
 In the subcutaneous fascia, there is an increase of 5 °c at the end of the treatment.

 In superficial muscles, is only about 2-3°c rise in temperature at the end of the
treatment.
HEMODYNAMIC EFFECT
NEUROMUSCULAR EFFECT
METABOLIC EFFECT
ANALGESIC EFFECT
STRETCHING EFFECT
INDICATIONS

 Pain and muscle spasm

 Edema and inflammation

 Adhesions and scars

CONTRAINDICATIONS

 Impaired sensations

 Some dermatological conditions

 Circular dysfunction

 Analgesic drugs

 Infection and open wounds

 Cancer, tumor or tuberculosis

 Gross edema

 Loss of comprehension

 Deep x-ray

 External or internal metal fixators, implants

ADVANTAGES
 Useful for pt. with poor heat tolerance, dry scaly skins after plaster of Paris
removal.

 Can be followed by therapeutic exercises.

 Can be carried out to home,

 Wax can mould around the bony contours of feet & hands.

 Heat is applied evenly by conduction.

DISADVANTAGES

 Effective only for distal extremities in the terms of ease of application.

 No method of temperature controls once applied.

 Heating lasts only about 20 minutes.

 It is a passive treatment: exercise may not be performed simultaneously.

 It also poses environmental concerns regarding its disposal.