Occupational Therapy – Paraffin Bath

By Ehren Allen, DPT, COMT

Occupational Therapy – Paraffin Bath

Joint and muscle aches often come with injury, and it can be difficult to alleviate this discomfort. To help with this, our Certified Hand Therapists and Occupational Therapists can provide a paraffin bath.  This modality uses heated paraffin wax to provide relief to joints and muscles in the hand. Paraffin therapy is generally prescribed to patients without open wounds, decreased sensitivity, or heat intolerance. Paraffin, unlike a hot pack, provides deep penetration of heat that can get between the fingers and deep into the tissues of the hand. It also provides a more localized heat source. The purpose of this is to increase blood flow to the hands, which decreases pain and stiffness, and stimulates healing. This therapy is also used to help relieve some arthritis discomfort.

It is important if you are using this modality at home, that you make sure the heat of the bath is checked often.  This is to avoid burning the skin from the wax.  Always consult with your physician or therapist prior to starting a modality at home.

To read more about hand arthritis, please go to: Hand Arthritis or 4 Top Exercises for Hand Arthritis.

JOI and JOI Rehab

JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.

You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.

To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.