Ozokerite is a unique natural component that is widely used in the medical industry. Medical ozokerite has also been used in cosmetology. The unique feature of the fossil presented in pharmacies is its color and smell, benefits and composition. Even translated from ancient Greek, its name means “fragrant sand.”
Often in crossword puzzles you can find a special definition - the mountain epithet of ozokerite - 4 letters. This is “black wax” or “tears of the earth”. There are a lot of unique definitions, but the important thing is that treatment with ozokerite brings real benefits to the patient, which allows doctors to prescribe the drug and significantly improve the condition of patients.
Indications and contraindications
Most often these are inflammatory diseases of superficial tissues and internal organs, consequences of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Often, using this simple method, pathologies of the reproductive system, diseases of the skin and ENT organs can be effectively treated. Even such a complex disease as trophic ulcers associated with vascular obstruction can be corrected very well together with local and systemic therapy.
However, the procedure also has contraindications that cannot be ignored. These are acute inflammatory processes, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver and various tumors. Paraffin-ozokerite applications are not used during pregnancy. Moreover, the lactation period is also a reason to postpone the course of treatment until it is completed. Only if your doctor individually decides to make an exception can you disregard this rule.
Properties
Ozokerite is often used for arthrosis of the knee joint, as well as for various other diseases.
This popularity can be explained quite simply. Among the features of the composition and its valuable properties:
- Reduction of pain due to natural properties;
- Low level of thermal conductivity and high heat capacity - all this allows you to use the composition for a long time and get the maximum effect from each procedure;
- Irritating and stimulating property - due to the presence of minerals in the composition, which stimulates blood flow to provide damaged tissues with oxygen;
- Antiseptic effect and anti-inflammatory effect;
- Light compression effect.
Ozokerite is used for joints, as well as for damaged muscles and bone tissue; procedures are often prescribed only after manipulation and surgery. This complementary therapy can bring excellent healing effects.
Making an applique
And we move directly to technology. Now we will take a closer look at what paraffin-ozokerite applications are. You will understand better how to do them after trying it in practice. It is better to use an adult as a test subject. To conduct a session you will need the following components:
- Cosmetic paraffin (do not use candles) and ozokerite in approximately equal proportions.
- Two containers: one for wax, the second for a water bath.
- Gauze and scissors.
- Cling film.
- Warm diaper, blanket or towel.
- Vaseline to give plasticity to the applique.
Cost of the procedure
This is another factor that speaks in favor of using paraffin-ozokerite applications. The price of such procedures is relatively low even in a hospital setting (220 rubles per application), but at home you can buy packages of paraffin and ozokerite and use them as many times as needed, only warming them up each time. Each of them will cost 80-90 rubles. Add to this the cost of the fabric for wrapping, the oilcloth base and the brush for application, it still won’t cost more than 500 rubles. And after the course of treatment, all this can be carefully removed until next time.
Home treatment with ozokerite
Mountain wax is widely used for the prevention and treatment of diseases on its own. This is explained by the simplicity and safety of the procedure (subject to the advice given in the instructions).
How to heat ozokerite at home?
The home method for heating the substance comes down to the following:
- The required amount of wax is placed in a container. Depending on the area of application and the age of the patient, this can be a volume from 100 grams (in a glass jar) to a kilogram (in a pan).
- A second pan (deep basin) of larger diameter is installed on the gas (electric, induction) stove. It is advisable to place a small heat-resistant cube-shaped object at the bottom: a piece of brick, a wooden block, a matchbox filled with pebbles or sand.
- A jar with pieces of ozokerite is placed on the footrest. The structure is carefully filled with water to the paraffin level. It is necessary to ensure that water does not get into the vessel with mountain wax, so the jar is covered with a lid before doing this.
- Adjust the heat of the stove to minimum and remove the lid. The process has begun.
- When the paraffin begins to melt, we begin stirring. The thinner the mass, the more often.
- After complete melting to a homogeneous substance, the substance is cooled to a temperature of 55°C and can be used.
How to use at home?
The method of using ozokerite does not differ from other paraffin procedures:
- The skin where the wax is applied is first lubricated with Vaseline to protect it from burns.
- Paraffin, melted to the desired temperature (55°C), is applied to the area of skin where treatment is required.
- Subsequent layers of the substance are applied heated to a temperature of 60 to 80 degrees. (Sometimes it is necessary to heat the composition to a temperature of 90°C.)
- The layer of the applied substance is made up to two millimeters thick.
- Insulation is applied over the applied layers: a warm scarf, cotton wool in gauze, a blanket. The goal is to keep warm for as long as possible.
Remedies and methods of treatment
There are such means and methods of treatment with ozokerite:
Baths with ozokerite. Bath therapy is used to treat diseases of the joints of the limbs and diseases of the skin of the hands, feet and the whole body. The bottom of the container is thickly lined with fifty-five degree ozokerite, where the limbs are lowered to warm up. Then more is added, but in molten form (temperature up to 75°C). The legs and basin are wrapped in a blanket. If there are no medical instructions, then the bath is taken until the legs no longer feel the heat from it. The procedure with the hands is identical to the foot one.
How to use
There are several ways to perform this procedure. However, it is best to entrust it to an experienced nurse. It does not pose anything dangerous, but the heating technique itself must be worked out until it becomes automatic. Any less and the cool application will not be able to provide a healing effect. If it’s a little overheated, paraffin-ozokerite applications can severely burn unprotected skin. That's why caution doesn't hurt.
There are several ways to use ozokerite. The very first thing is to melt it to a temperature of 65 degrees and apply it to the skin with a brush. The second method is similar, but the effect is deeper. The limb is coated with ozokerite and then placed in a vessel containing a molten mixture of paraffin and ozokerite. And again we warn you about the need to maintain the correct temperature regime. It will not be possible to quickly clean a limb from a substance that is too hot.
Appliqués are an easier option for beginners. Paraffin-ozokerite applications are performed in this way most often at home. To do this, the molten ozokerite is poured onto the oilcloth laid in the mold in a small layer and, after waiting for it to cool (checking it with your own hand), is transferred to the surface of the body.
Ozokerite for children
The procedure for preparing ozokerite at home for children is simple, and parents should not have any questions. A mixture of paraffin and ozokerite in equal proportions is placed in a metal container and melted in a water bath. When the paraffin becomes liquid, oilcloth or cellophane is placed on a baking sheet, onto which the molten substance is poured. A layer up to one and a half millimeters thick is prepared. After the paraffin hardens, the necessary part of the ozokerite is separated from it with a knife.
The procedure lasts no more than a quarter of an hour. A still warm substance is applied to the child’s skin in sore areas, and cellophane or a blanket is placed on top. To obtain the desired effect, up to ten such heating procedures must be carried out during one course of treatment.
Restrictions
The restrictions for children are:
Compound
The low price of ozokerite allows you to use the composition often enough for a complete recovery or significant relief of your condition. Numerous reviews of ozokerite prove that the drug is truly effective for patients with various diseases. This can be explained by the composition and chemical properties of the product. Among the components:
- Mineral oils;
- Resins;
- High molecular weight hydrocarbons (paraffins and ceresins).
Indications for treatment with mountain wax
In physiotherapeutic practice, thermal treatment is used for the following indications:
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- chronic diseases of the digestive system;
- disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary organs;
- trophic ulcers;
- diseases of the respiratory system;
- skin diseases;
- abdominal adhesions.
Treatment with ozokerite is used in complex therapy; it can be used together with other types of physiotherapeutic procedures. The decision on how to carry out ozokerite treatment is made by the doctor.
Ozokerite is used to treat children, for example, to get rid of muscle hypertonicity.
Purpose for children
Not only adults can use a natural component to alleviate their condition. Instructions for use of ozokerite allow the drug to be used also for children who have and have been diagnosed with specific health problems:
- Torticollis;
- Spastic paresis;
- Incorrect foot placement;
- Hip dysplasia.
However, even in this case, the use of ozokerite is accompanied by the additional appointment of electrophoresis and a course of massage.
Indications for use of ozokerite
- Various diseases of the musculoskeletal system: arthritis, arthrosis, radiculitis, neuritis, osteochondrosis, myalgia...;
- Consequences of previous injuries, tenosynovitis, bursitis, myositis, osteomyelitis;
- As an acceleration of regenerative processes in fractures;
- In the presence of scar contractures;
- Formation of callus, scars;
- Skin ulcers, poorly healing wounds;
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum in remission;
- Diseases of the liver and gall bladder;
- After suffering pleurisy;
- Initial endarteritis;
- Complications of varicose veins: trophic ulcers, thrombophlebitis;
- Inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs;
- Male and female infertility;
- Dermatological diseases.
Contraindications
- Tuberculosis;
- Neoplasms of any localization;
- Heart diseases;
- Acute inflammatory processes;
- Pregnancy;
- Thyrotoxicosis;
- Blood diseases.
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