pwb for students

1. • Prepared by –Dr Pankaj R
jayswal [M.P.T ORTHO]
Paraffin Wax Bath

2. Paraffin wax ,Liquid paraffin[mineral oil ] with,
petroleum jelly
Paraffin wax :liquid paraffin {[6:1] or [7:1]} +
petroleum jelly for lubrication
Paraffin wax :liquid paraffin: petroleum jelly
[2:1:1]
Content of Paraffin Wax Bath

3. Melting point of paraffin wax is 54 degree
Most wax bath are kept at temperature
between 42 to 52 C
Normal temperature

4. “Dip & wrap”
“Painting”
“Pouring”
Wrapping
Method of application

5.  Insulating effect
 Skin temperature above 45 degree can damage it .
 But its comfortable to put hand in wax at 50 but not in
water
 As contact with skin, wax become cooler and solidifies
Basic Principal

6. Amount of heat required to raise the
temperature of unit mass of substance to 1
degree
Wax – 2.72kj/kg/degree centigrade
Water-4.2 kj /kg / degree centigrade
Specific heat of substance

7. Thermal Conductivity of solid matter
[cool wax ] is so low ,it will insulate skin from
hotter surrounding liquid wax.
Air become trapped between skin & wax.
So its helps insulation

8. • Latent heat of fusion –wax transmits the heat to
tissue by giving the energy as it solidifies .
• Amount of energy about 35k J/kg[Sekins & emery
1982]
• At room temperature the wax solidifies as contact
with skin ,it prevents heat loss for insulation ,also
prevents the evaporation of water
Latent heat of fusion

9. Wax provides modest amount of heat along
with the prevents heat loss
Provides Low temperature heating
It makes skin more moist and feel soft &
pliable ,useful for dry skin

10. Widespread support to this Rx, little hard
evidence support for this [Ayling & Marks
,2000]
In rheumatoid arthritis ,combined with Exs
,short term effect

Most clinical use as adjunctive Rx ,not a sole
Rx