How To Make Your Own Paraffin Therapy Spa Using A Slow Cooker - Guest Post

How To Make Your Own Paraffin Therapy Spa Using A Slow Cooker

Paraffin therapy is one of the most effective natural treatments for muscle soreness and joint pain.  Ever heard of it?  It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: you coat yourself (or at least, your hands or feet, depending on where the pain is) with paraffin wax.  The moist heat helps to relieve pain and increase range of motion--much like a piping hot bath, but with more lasting effects.

              

Although paraffin therapy is a well-loved holistic remedy, it can take quite a hit on your wallet.  If you want to save some cash, you can actually create your own paraffin therapy.

There are a couple of options: you can buy your own paraffin bath from a medical supply store--

Or...

...You can make your own spa using a slow cooker.  Yes, you heard that right: you already know your favorite kitchen appliance can be so much more than you thought possible; let’s take it one step further. Read on to learn how your slow cooker can double as an arthritis-soothing spa.

Materials

You’ll only need a few things:

●     A slow cooker (small for hands, large if you also want to use it for your feet)

●     4 lbs paraffin wax

●     1 ⅓ c Mineral oil

●     A candy thermometer

●     Essential oils (optional)

●     Plastic wrap

To make things even easier, all of these items are easy to locate at your neighborhood supermarket!

Using the paraffin therapy spa:

First, you’ll add the paraffin wax to your slow cooker.  When it’s fully melted, stir in the mineral oil. At this point, you can also add a couple drops of the essential oil of your choice.  The essential oils are by no means “essential” (har-har) to the process, but they can certainly make the experience more relaxing and luxurious. 

After combining the ingredients, continue to heat to your preferred temperature. This is where the candy thermometer comes in. To avoid burns, you must keep the temperature under 125 degrees. Most paraffin therapy spas keep their temperatures between 115 and 125 degrees, as that’s the most effective range of temperatures.

Once the bath is ready, go ahead and dip your hands or feet into the bath. Make sure and wash with soap and water beforehand; if you keep the paraffin clean, it can actually be stored and used again! 

Once you’ve fully submerged your limb (hand to the wrist or foot to the ankle), continue dipping to build up layers. After you’ve dipped several times, wrap wax-covered parts of your body in plastic wrap. Then, cover the plastic wrap with a towel (this will help keep the warmth in).  Once you’re all wrapped up, let the therapy do its work for the next 20 minutes as you kick your feet back and relax.

When the paraffin has done its work, go ahead and peel it off-- you can either discard or save for future use. Finish with a luxurious moisturizer to nourish the skin and keep it from drying out.

So there you have it--having your own paraffin therapy spa can be just as relaxing as a professional day at a real spa or natural hot spring in Japan, but this treatment can be done right in the comfort of your home.

Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer, business owner and mother who doesn’t always have the time to visit a professional spa for a paraffin therapy treatment, so she makes her own right at home. Follow her on Pinterest and Twitter for more beauty tips and tricks.