Chiropractor Kent WA Promotes Healing Through Paraffin Bath

By Andre Ferlo


A paraffin bath sounds like something from the nineteenth century. Perhaps something that should be consigned to history along with weird patient medications including whale oil.

This particular method is quite beneficial to individuals who have soreness in their feet or hands from conditions such as arthritis. It is also great for the skin. To begin the process, the paraffin is placed into a specific type of vat, or a large crock pot, and heated to around 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Then the patient immerses one foot or hand into the melted wax repeatedly until the coating is roughly 1/4" thick, and then allows it to solidify and cool for about twenty minutes.

If doing the procedure at home, one should first take instruction from a physical therapist or chiropractic professional, because if done incorrectly, a person could burn themselves or start a fire. These sessions are also available in many spas.

Benefits of paraffin therapy include relaxing muscles, improving blood flow, and soothing painful joints. The heat from the wax penetrates deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and bursitis. It typically is combined with therapeutic massage when performed in a spa or chiropractic clinic.

This therapeutic procedure is commonly paired with exercises that are formulated specifically to improve the flexibility and strength of one's hands. Although it may sound like a silly way to approach pain and stiffness, it is taken quite seriously by many health professionals.

Those who experience chronic bouts of pain in their feet or hands could benefit from discussing the option of paraffin baths with their chiropractic professional or physician. However, for safety reasons, they should be sure to obtain instruction on the proper way to administer this procedure on their own at home. Chiropractors have often used them as components in patients' individualized approach plans.




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