Deep heat treatment performed by dipping the hand or foot into melted paraffin wax. Helps reduce joint pain and stiffness.
Indication
- Hand and foot osteoarthritis (degenerative changes in finger joints)
- Joint stiffness in the hands and feet due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Tendinitis (tendon inflammation) and chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Rehabilitation after hand surgery (reducing contracture and stiffness)
- Hand pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome (as adjunct therapy)
- Cold-sensitive extremities with reduced circulation in hands and feet (excluding Raynaud)
Preparation
- Before treatment, the hand or foot is washed; rings and jewelry are removed
- The skin is checked for absence of open wounds, eczema, or infection
- The skin is thoroughly dried (application is not performed on wet skin)
- The physiatrist is informed if there is sensitive skin or vascular disease
How it's performed
- The paraffin wax is heated in a special container to approximately 50-54 °C and made into a homogeneous liquid
- The patient briefly dips and removes the hand or foot in the paraffin; this is repeated 6-10 times
- A thick paraffin layer (glove/sock appearance) forms on the skin
- It is wrapped with a plastic bag and towel to retain heat inside for 15-20 minutes
- At the end, the paraffin layer is peeled off in a single piece
- It is generally followed by exercise or range-of-motion work
Post-procedure
- After treatment, the area is moisturized; dryness may occur
- Generally 10-15 sessions are planned, 3-5 times a week
- An exercise program in the same session is recommended
- If joint swelling significantly increases or burning occurs, the physiatrist should be informed
Risks
- Skin burn (rare, if application temperature is too high)
- Allergic reaction (very rare with paraffin)
- Skin dryness or mild itching
- Not appropriate for areas with open wounds or vascular disease
FAQ
Does paraffin therapy cause burns?
When the temperature is maintained between 50-54 °C with a special device, it is safe; in individuals whose skin cannot tolerate the temperature, a test dip is performed.
How many sessions are needed?
Generally 10-15 sessions are recommended; the physiatrist determines the number according to pain and stiffness.
Is paraffin alone sufficient?
It generally provides better results when applied together with exercise, manual therapy, or electrotherapy.
Is it applied to people with diabetes?
If there is peripheral neuropathy or circulation problems, careful evaluation is required; physician approval is essential.
Related Information
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