lOMoARcPSD|36041561
Therapeutic Equipment’s Assist. Lect. Ra’aed Alobaidi
Application Technique Paraffin Wax Equipment Required • Paraffin Wax
• Mineral oil (or commercially available premixed paraffin intended for this application)
• Thermostatically controlled container
• Plastic bags or paper • Towels or mitts
Types of the techniques used for the treatment with paraffin wax  Dip-wrap method.  Dip-immersion method.  Paraffin painting method.  Paraffin pouring method.
Preparation before treatment
 Inspect paraffin wax temperature.
 Do not use paraffin if the temperature more than 57Cº.
 Use a special thermometer for measuring temperature.
 Prepare towels and plastic bags.
 Put the apparatus beside the patient.
Technique Notes before Treatment
1. Remove the watch, jewelry from the area to be treated.
2. Keep the patient's cloth clean from paraffin by using a plastic cover. 3. Raaed Alobaidi
Keep the earth clean from dropping the paraffin on it.
4. Explain the method of treatment for the patient :-
 The patient’s feel that the wax is hot but not burning.
 Warn the patient from touching the bottom of the pool.
5. inspect the part to be treated:- • Skin must be clean.
• Skin must be dry and there is no sweating. 1
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Therapeutic Equipment’s Assist. Lect. Ra’aed Alobaidi
• Do not treat open wounds, skin rash, or scar tissue.
• Inspect the sensation of the skin:-
 If there is a defect in sensation you must use wax with care.
You must be sure that the temperatures of the paraffin wax between 45 Cº - 50 Cº.
 Thoroughly wash and dry the area to be treated to minimize contamination of the paraffin.
Dip-Wrap Method technique of application
1. With the fingers apart, dip the hand into the paraffin as far as possible and lift up.
2. Advise the patient to avoid moving the fingers during the treatment because movement
will crack the paraffin coating.
3. Advise the patient to avoid touching the sides or the bottom of the tank because these
areas may be hotter than the paraffin.
4. Wait briefly for the layer of paraffin to harden.
5. Re dip the hand, keeping the fingers apart. Repeat ten times.
6. Wrap the patient’s hand in a plastic bag, wax paper, and then in a towel or toweling mitt. 7. Elevate the extremity.
8. Leave the paraffin in place for 10 to 15 minutes or until it cools.
9. When the intervention is completed, peel the paraffin off the hand and discard it
Dip-immersion Method technique of application
1. With fingers apart, dip the hand into the paraffin and remove.
2. Wait for 5 to 15 seconds for the layer of paraffin to harden and become opaque. 3. Raaed Alobaidi
Re dip the hand, keeping the fingers apart.
4. Allow the hand to remain in the paraffin for up to 20 minutes, and then remove it.
5. The temperature of the paraffin should be at the lower end of the range for this method of
application because the hand cools less during treatment than with the dip-wrap method.
6. The heater should be turned off during treatment so that the sides and the Bottom of the tank does not become too hot. 2
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Therapeutic Equipment’s Assist. Lect. Ra’aed Alobaidi
Paraffin painting method technique of application
1. Paint a layer of paraffin onto the treatment area with a brush.
2. Wait for the layer of paraffin to become harden.
3. Paint on another layer of paraffin no larger than the first layer. 4. Repeat the steps ten times.
5. Cover the area with plastic or paper and then with toweling.
6. Leave the paraffin in place for 20 minutes or until it cools.
7. When the intervention is completed, peel off the paraffin and discard it.
Paraffin Pouring Method technique of application
 Put the part that needs to be treated above the pool.
 Uses a cup for pouring the wax over the area want to be treated.  Leave the wax to harden.
 Repeat the method 10 times.
 Wrap the patient’s hand in a plastic bag, wax paper, and then in a towel or toweling mitt.
 Leave the paraffin in place for 10 to 15 minutes or until it cools. Advantages
• Maintains good contact with highly contoured areas • Easy to use • Inexpensive
• Body part can be elevated if the dip-wrap method is used.
• Can be used by the patient at home Raaed Alobaidi Disadvantages
• Messy and time-consuming to apply
• Cannot be used over an open skin lesion because it may contaminate the lesion
• Risk of cross-contamination if the paraffin is reused 3
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