Hand exercises in wax baths benefit arthritis
04 February 2002
Doing hand exercises in warm paraffin wax baths relieves rheumatoid arthritis pain and improves function, according to the latest Cochrane review.
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organisation set up to help people make informed decisions about health care, based on up-to-date, credible evidence.
But a more practical suggestion is filling a basin with warm water first thing in the morning and doing simple flexion and extension exercises, says Royal Melbourne Hospital rheumatologist Dr Geoff McColl.
Dr McColl said it had been known for years that wax baths and exercises were useful. Hospitals and physiotherapists used them although they went out of fashion because access was a problem.
People could buy the baths but they were quite expensive and he did not think it worthwhile. But they had a role in flare-ups and the review reminded doctors to consider referring patients for flare-up treatment to physiotherapists or public hospitals with the baths.
'About 90 per cent of rheumatoid arthritis patients have problems with their hands and early morning stiffness is a big problem so if they can't have the wax, fill a basin with warm water and do simple exercises, opening and closing hands. A lot of my patients find this useful,' Dr McColl said.
Last Reviewed: 04 February 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 01/02/02
