Spa Therapy

Peat Bath Hyperthermia Treatments: How to take a peat bath

2006-10-16T23:15:00.000-07:00

Balneo Peat Series Bathing Instructions:

The Balneo Peat Bath is a therapeutic full body treatment. When properly prescribed and performed, patient safety is met and beneficial outcomes result.

Indications:

Musculoskeletal pain (perhaps useful for acute or chronic – evaluate)
Post-workout soreness (perform after exercise or workout within 0-6 hours for optimum effect)
Infertility (collaborative care ensuring cooperative treatment)
Chronic inflammation (after 72 hours post-injury)
Circulatory Insufficiency (CHF, cold hands/feet, varicosities)
Hypertonic or spastic muscles (use with 1-2 pounds Epsom salt)
Chemical Sensitivity (mild treatments to start and increase in strength)
Decreased range of motion (use with traction, MES and ROM during bath)
Skin disorders: rashes, eczema, acne, psoriasis (may worsen before improvement)
Anxiety (keep bathing temperature at 104 F maximum)

Patient Instructions Day Before Bath (Pre-Peat Bath Protocol):

No caffeinated beverages:

Caffeine causes vasoconstriction decreasing effective treatment time during and post-bath. Adaptive hyperthermia effect is not obtained well when using caffeine nor is proper circulation.

Drink minimum 10 glasses of filtered water:

Water ensures proper hydration of all cells allowing transfer of toxins/metabolites to liver, kidney, skin and out of the body. Low water intake circulates metabolites and toxins around the body as they cannot be flushed. Chlorinated water with pesticides, herbicides et al defeats the treatment outcome – use filtered water.

Eat protein, whole grains and vegetables attempting to avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates and saturated fats:

Balanced blood sugar during a hyperthermic treatment is necessary for safety and therapeutic outcome. High circulating glucose in the blood stream is pro-inflammatory and also may cause a reactive hypoglycemia – defeating patient safety and desired treatment outcome.

Eat balanced snack 20 minutes before bath – not a large meal:

Hyperthermia decreases blood to the digestive tract so a large meal will not be digested well. A low protein, complex carb snack bar will be just right.

Take antioxidant supplement or vitamin C – to help bind and metabolize increased circulating toxic burden – preventing post-bath headache

Physician Instructions Evaluating Patient:

Evaluate and screen: hypertension, pregnancy, renal disorders, clotting disorders, medications, epilepsy, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular irregularities, chemical sensitivity, acute autoimmune diseases, liver failure, respiratory distress
Perform physical exam: cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, eyes

Rule out blood pressure over 150/80, erratic heart rhythms, pulse over 80, respirations above 20 breaths/minute, moderate tremors, decreased skin sensations or absent (make sure to evaluate temperature sensation in diabetics), orthostatic hypotension, menstruation, pregnancy, DVT, acute rheumatic conditions, aversion to heat
12 hour diet recall – including drug and beverage use.

Bathing Instructions (for in-office hyperthermia treatment):

Important:

Filter bathing water with chlorine filter as chlorine is more volatile with heat and may irritate patient especially if asthmatic or chemically sensitive.
Water temperature should never exceed 104 F for first time bathers.
Always keep lights on in bathing room to reduce parasympathetic response (fainting may occur)
Have ice water bowl set up next to bathing tub with large washcloth or hand towel inside. Apply to patients head dripping wet if patient is getting too hot too fast.
Have massage table set up within 1 meter of bathing tub so patient can get out of tub and lay down immediately after bath. (Never leave patient unattended
No ‘mood relaxing music’
Have dry towels and preferably non-skid mats on floor near bathing tub to avoid slipping on getting out of tub
Have wide stable stool next to bath for patients who need it.
Monitor pulse and if pulse reaches 120 beats per minute, patient must be assisted out of bath and lay down on prepared post-bath treatment table.
Monitor temperature and if temperature reaches 103.6 F, patient must be assisted out of bath and lay down on prepared post-bath treatment table.
Have warm filtered water next to patient and have them drink often. Do not offer cold water – may cause colic.
Have electrolytes next to patient: BioPlasma cell salts, Emergen’C or other forms – no caffeine.
Instruct patient to inform attendant when:

The patient feels ‘odd’, getting a headache, dizzy, lightheaded, sleepy, not right. Patient likely will say they do not understand what ‘odd’ means but ensure them they will when the ‘odd feeling’ arrives.
When patient informs attendant the above symptoms, have patient assisted out of the tub quickly and onto the post-bath treatment table.

In Office Bathing Equipment:

Bathing tank or tub deep enough for a full body immersion
Non-skid mat on floor
Wide stable foot stool
Oral thermometer
Blood pressure equipment
Clock with second hand
Massage table or cot equipped with flannel/cotton sheets and wool blankets
Gown
Filtered warm water
Electrolytes
(optional but nice) Shower with chlorine filter– no soap in shower
Towels
Cold water bowl with hand towel

First Time Bathers:

· Tell them the ‘day before’ peat bath rules – as stated above

· Bath water temperature no hotter than 104 F

· No more than 20 minutes in the bath

· Do not use more than 1/3^rd liter balneo peat

· Fully explain to them not to ‘tough it out’ – if they get any of the feelings of: dizzy, lightheaded, odd feeling, sleepy, not quite right, eyes glazing over – they must tell you and get immediately out of the tub.

o Note: not many patients can last a full 20 minutes their first bath – usually last around 12-15 minutes)

· Tell them someone must be with them to help them out of the tub before and after bath (if in-office) and if at home, have someone help them out.

o Note: have patient sign a waiver understanding that they must have an assistant if using the balneo peat at home (sample below- edit as needed)

Balneo Peat Bath Protocol:

Never exceed patient-in-bath statistics of: 103.6 F oral temperature, 120 heart rate, 108 F bath water, 20 minutes bathing time

Balneo peat bathing is an adaptogenic therapy requiring a series of increasing intensity treatments providing lasting therapeutic effects.
The patient’s physiology adapts to the hyperthermia treatment requiring increased bath water temperature and increased amount of balneo peat over time.
Bathing must be done 2x/week for 8 weeks for optimum long-term results.
Shorter series of baths may be done but long-term benefit may not occur.

First Bath:

Bath water: 104 F and use 1/3^rd liter of balneo peat

Second Bath

Bath water: 104 F and use 1/3^rd liter of balneo peat
If patient had no improvement with First Bath and lasted a full 2o minutes, use 105 F bath water and ½ liter of balneo peat.

Third Bath and Ongoing:

If patient is improving using ½ liter of balneo peat and 105 F, stay on this level of therapy until patient is not improving further or is tolerating this level easily.
When patient is no longer improving or easily tolerating ½ liter of balneo peat and bath water temperature of 105 F, increase bathing temperature to 106 F and use ¾ liter of balneo peat to stimulate more improvement.
Increase balneo peat by adding ¼ liter if improvement is not occurring and increase the bath water temperature by one degree F.
Stop at a maximum of 2 liters of peat per bath. Increased balneo peat in the bath water increases the insulation of the heat thereby increasing the intensity of the treatment. Increased temperature and increased balneo peat is needed as body is adapting to the hyperthermic effects. This is a positive sign.
Note: I have never seen a patient last in a bath for 20 minutes, use more than 1 liter of peat in a bath water temperature of 108 F. A duration of 20 minutes bathing time is more effective than a short burst of hyperthermia – remember, you are aiming for the adaptogenic long-term effect. Get your patients to bathe for 20 minutes before you increase the bath water temperature or increase the amount of balneo peat. Once the patient can bathe easily for 20 minutes, then step up the intensity by raising the bath water temperature and increasing the amount of balneo peat.

Likely Patient Post-Bath Remarks:

My pee stinks: due to increased lipolysis allowing the fat-soluble toxins to become mobilized and metabolized along with water soluble toxins and metabolites being excreted. A positive sign of detoxification.
I’ve a mild headache all day: due to increased toxic burden circulating in the bloodstream – increase antioxidants, filtered water and minerals pre and post bath – such as NAC, MSM, selenium, magnesium, vitamins a, c, e, d, whole plant taraxacum, silymarin, medicago sativa, urtica dioica, allium Do not increase water bath temperature or amount of balneo peat until patient is without headaches post bath
I’m constipated: increase water intake overall
I couldn’t sleep all night: perform peat bath earlier in the day or decrease bath water temperature as heat is a sympathetic stimulator. Or also consider having the patient do the post-bath sweating for an hour and follow it up with a neutral temperature shower to calm the nervous system. Consider nervines for sleep: passiflora, avena, biochemic phosphate cell salts, pinch of salt on the tongue before sleep, hops filled pillow, melatonin, meditation, protein snack 30 minutes before bed.
I’m tired: likely due to the amount of circulating toxins. Prolong treatment at current bath water temperature and at current amount of balneo peat. Do not increase water bath temperature or amount of balneo peat until patient is feeling more energetic.
My skin is breaking out in pimples and rashes: evaluate current medications, make sure chlorine bath filter is being used, inquire what additives are in bath as peat itself is not allergic or sensitizing, may be a good sign of detoxification as skin is the largest detox organ. Consider adding liver support nutrients and herbs.
My joint pain is much less: treatment is working – advise patient not to over do it as they will. If they over do it with exercise or increase of daily activities, they may aggravate their condition – advise them allow the treatment to progress slowly while you increase your daily activities slowly. I’ve seen many patients able to finally do more and be so excited they over do it and get back to square one.
I am more flexible: treatment is working – keep stretching, do yoga to speed treatment. Consider increasing bath water temperature and amount of balneo peat if patient is handling current amount and remaining in the bath easily for 20 minutes.
The treatment didn’t do anything: be specific in your questions – did you increase your daily activities? You notice more flexibility? Your pee stink? Your head less cloudy or more cloudy? Do you notice an increase in appetite? Some patients want to show you that the treatment doesn’t work. Try increasing the bath water temperature and increasing the amount of balneo peat if they were able to stay in the bath water easily for 20 minutes during the last bath treatment. They may need more temperature or peat. However, if their first bath was less than 20 minutes and they had to get out quickly, try the treatment again and ensuring the patient is adhering to the pre-peat bath protocol.
I feel worse – my joints ache even more: Balneo peat baths and hyperthermia increase the immune function and circulating antibodies which may cause autoimmune diseases to flare up and aggravate the patient. Stop peat baths and evaluate diet, remove allergic/intolerant foods – do IgE/IgG food panel or elimination diet, restore gut health first before peat baths.

I feel worse – I’m even more sensitive to smells: Evaluate if you were increasing the bath water temperature too fast or adding too much balneo peat. Proper balneo peat immersion treatments are not a race and must be done slowly to patient tolerance. If you were going too fast, back the water temperature down to 104 F and use 1/3^rdliter of peat. Evaluate patient. If still worse, then discontinue peat baths as the patient’s toxic load is too high. The overall toxic burden must be decreased first prior to balneo peat baths. Stop balneo peat baths and evaluate patient’s surrounding environment and remove obstacles to cure. Add air filters to their home, remove mold in home, remove carpets, carbon filter masks while driving to reduce CO exposure, mild liver support, colonics for sure, constitutional hydrotherapy, consider ordering urinary toxic metal panel, increase fiber and healthy monounsaturated oils to stabilize cell membranes. Consider ordering genetic liver functional enzyme tests to see if patient can in fact detox at all.
I stink more: the treatment is working well. The patient’s body is releasing more toxins via the skin. Continue treatment and add dry skin brushing before bath. Add a quality chlorophyll liquid supplement to help with binding toxins and remove body odor. Instruct patient to remove dairy, saturated fats and refined sugars from diet – this is a strong moment to ask as you will have great compliance. Dairy and sat fats make the patient’s body odor worse. Tell patient not to use anti-perspirant as they contain aluminum and also stop the body’s natural pathway of detoxification. Consider colonics or enemas to speed detoxification along – or constitutional hydrotherapy or a wet sheet pack.

Additional Supportive Treatments while performing the Balneo Peat Bath Series:

Constitutional hydrotherapy
Colonics and/or enemas
Yoga
Traction, muscle energy work, spinal adjustments
Supportive detoxification protocol
Dietary improvements – remove dairy, saturated fats, refined sugars, stimulants
Wet sheet packs
Dry skin brushing

Healthy Forms of Electrolytes:

Green tea (low caffeinated forms)
Seaweed tea
BioPlasma cell salts
Emergen’C packets

Contraindications of Balneo Peat Baths:

Depends on the physician and their comfort level.

Absolute contraindications: renal failure, severe hypertension, DIC, cachexia, pregnancy, breastfeeding, fever, open wounds, respiratory difficulty, uncontrolled diabetes

Possible contraindications (balneo peat may help or may harm):

Acute autoimmune flare-ups, moderate hypertension, anxiety, epilepsy, tremors, profound chemical sensitivity, congestive heart failure, cancer

Disclaimer: Physicians must follow their own comfort level in treating patients. Author assumes no liability as information provided is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

Sample Waiver:

Therapeutic Home Peat Bath

I, _________________________ (patient) of _________________ (clinic or doctor), have been properly informed and understand the risks of at-home peat bathing. The doctor has explained that I must:

o have an assistant to help me in and out of the bath

o have a light complex carbohydrate snack before the bath

o have healthy balanced meals 12 hours before the bath

o have avoided caffeine, refined sugars and recreational drugs before the bath

o have a non-slip mat on the bathroom floor

o have the temperature of the bath water no hotter than 104 F

o have a light on for the duration of the bath

o have no relaxing music playing while in the bath

o have an ice-water bowl with cold hand towel to place on my head or chest

o have a bed or table to lay on post-bath near the bathing area

o have warm water with electrolytes in the bathroom and drink often

o have a thermometer and use it every 2 minutes and get out of the tub if my oral temperature reaches 103 F

o have a means to measure my pulse and get out of the bath if my pulse reaches 120 beats per minute

o have the notion to get out of the bath at 20 minutes maximum duration and earlier if feelings of dizziness, light-headedness, headache, tiredness, irregular heart rhythm or other related symptoms occur.

o have long sleeve cotton shirt and pants to put on post bath and lay down on a bed for at least one hour post-bath covered with warm blankets.

o have windows closed to avoid cold drafts

o have ample warm filtered water with electrolytes to drink during the post-bath sweat.

o have a telephone nearby should I need to get in contact with anyone for medical assistance.

I hereby release all liability from the doctor and clinic with regards to the Therapeutic Home Peat Bath. I abide by the requirements listed by the above bullets.

____________________________________ ____________

Patient Name Date

_____________________________________

Patient Signature

Local Hydrotherapy Using Moor Mud Single Foments

2005-10-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

Torf Krasno's single foment system can be used for a wide variety of health conditions.

The best way to approach proper use of the single foments is to apply the principles of hydrotherapy.

Both cold and hot applications are possible with the single foments. Contrast hydrotherapy may also be done.

Cold Local Hydrotherapy Applications
To get the single foment cold, place them in the refridgerator. Do not place them in the freezer. If a freezer is all you have, put the foments for only a short while. Peat, also known as moor mud, is not effective when frozen.

To use the single foment for a local cold hydrotherapy treatment, simply remove the foment from the refridgerator and place directly onto the skin mesh side down. This allows the peat [moor mud] to contact the skin. Then apply a cold towel on top of the foment. Leave on for 20 minutes maximum. The foment should be cold - not freezing. If freezing, the patient or client will become uncomfortable and the treatment cannot last the full 20 minutes. Remember that ice can only be left on the skin for 12 minutes or less - otherwise ischemia followed by necrosis can set in.

Why use cold?
Acute inflammation, pain or spasm is frequently the most often indication. Remember that acute means less than 3 days or 72 hours.

Hot Local Hydrotherapy Applications
Hot applications can be achieved with the single foments. It is best to place a warm towel for a minute on the mesh side of the foment before placing the foment on the patient. This increases the comfort for the patient as the foment will be warm before placed on the skin.

After the initial warming, place the foment mesh side down on the treatment site. Place two layers of towels between a hot hydrocollator pack and the foment. Do not leave the patient's unattended. The foment can become hot and burn the patient. As peat retains heat 5.5 times longer than water, it is easy to see how the foment gets hot.

If the foment gets too hot, simply remove the foment and hydrocollator pack from the patient. After a few seconds, reapply the foment and hydrocollator pack. However, add another towel between the hydrocollator pack and the foment.

Treatment time is the same for the local cold treatment - 20 minutes. Longer than 20 minutes can fatigue the patient or create a healing response which is undesirable.

Ill be back to finish...

Peat Bath Bathing Instructions

2005-10-04T12:30:00.000-07:00

CAUTION: Read all instructions. Serious disorders of the central nervous system, acute urethrocystitis, pregnancy, any heart condition, fever, serious inflammatory skin diseases, heat sensitivity, open skin injury, bleeding, oncoids or possible thromboses, please consult with your physician before taking a peat bath. If you feel too hot and dizzy while in the peat bath, sit up and place ice on your chest. Slowly stand up, get out of the tub carefully and lay down on your bed. If you have difficulty walking or standing up, assistance is required for this treatment to get out of the bath. This is a therapeutic treatment – not an idle bathing experience.

NOTE: Do not use the peat bath in jetted tubs. A peat bath extract may be used instead. The peat bath product will clog the jets causing damage. The peat extract is safe and non-foaming.

Product Used: Torf Krasno Balneo Peat Bath. This peat, also known as Moor Mud, is 100% natural, contains no additives, non-pasteurized, tested for contaminants and approved by the Czech Ministry of Health. For more information on Torf Krasno Peat Bath, please visit our Wholesale Spa Product page.

Peat Bath Instructions

1. Best if in the evening or on a lazy day. The peat bath is very therapeutic and relaxing – do not be active afterwards. Count on one hour of laying down relaxation time post peat bath. Also, do not do after a meal. Allow 1 ½ hrs after eating before taking your peat bath. This is necessary as blood flow increases to all tissues while taken away from the digestive system making you not feel well if you ate.

2. If you have a rubber cover for your bathtub overflow, place it on now. If you do not, you can purchase one at a kitchen and bath store for about $5.oo This way you are able to fill the bath up another 5 inches or so before the bath water drains. This 5” makes a big difference.

3. Run a hot bath – about 100 to 104 degrees F. It is best to have a chlorine filter for your bath as peat enhances absorption of what happens to be in the water. Plus, hot water makes the chlorine into a more gaseous state which is harmful.

4. While your peat bath is filling, lay a sheet down on your bed covers. Then place some large towels on top of ½ the sheet. The other ½ of the sheet will cover your body once you lay down. You need the towels as you will sweat immensely after the peat bath. Place a towel on your pillow so you don’t get it all sweaty. Prepare some warm comfortable long cotton pants and a warm long sleeve cotton shirt. Turn the lights down in your room. Have extra blankets at the ready as well to cover yourself with once the sheet is over you – don’t be shy with the blankets. Close the windows. Drafts are not good when you are hot.

5. It is important that you are hydrated as you will sweat immensely. Thus, while your bath continues to run, drink a nice hot cup of herbal tea. Asparagus Tea may promote detoxification. Do not drink caffeine at this time as your heart rate will already increase tremendously from the peat bath.

6. Prepare a large cup of hot water and put it next to your bed. The water will be warm by the time you are finished with the peat bath. Due to the amount of sweat, you must replace your electrolytes. Do not drink cold water. It will shock your system.

7. Head back into the bathroom and check the water level. If near full, turn off water and remove the chlorine filter from the bath. If not, it may absorb some of the peat’s constituents.

8. How much peat to use?

· For a routine light therapeutic effect, place 1/3rd of the tube in the bath.

· For after a tough workout, pain, sore muscles, colds, strains, flu, use ½.

· It is also personal preference. Use more or less.

· Great results have been seen with only 1/3rd the tube.

10. Remain in the peat bath for a maximum of 20 minutes or earlier if you feel you must exit. Careful getting out of the tub. You will be very tired from the treatment. Have someone help you or watch your step.

11. When it is enough, sit up and wash the water around you to remove the gritty peat from your skin. Do not rinse with clean water. This will alter your therapy.

12. Dab yourself dry but do not towel off thoroughly. Dry your hair as you normally would.

13. Stand up and put on warm bedclothes. It is important that you put on these clothes as they absorb the sweat. Sweat is loaded with bodily waste and toxins. It is best that the clothing absorbs them rather than they reenter you.

14. Climb into bed, put the sheet over you, then the blanket. Put another blanket if you desire. It is ideal to keep sweating and to maintain warmth. Make sure head is covered with a towel and ENTIRE body is under the blanket and no windows open. Lay down for at least 30 minutes but preferably an hour. Do not read – just relax. You will continue sweating for a long time. This is very healthy. Your gage is how much you sweat. If you have stopped sweating profusely and you feel like you can take a shower, do so.

15. Do NOT GET COLD!! You will get sick. Your body is very vulnerable at this point as it is very tired. Make certain you stay warm. Your clothes will get very wet so it is vital that you have enough blankets on you. Wool is best.

16. Once you are finished sweating (which may take up to 2 hours or so), take a warm shower and rinse off the sweat. Do not use soap. The benefits of the peat bath therapy will remain active for roughly 12 hours – if you use soap, the benefits of the peat bath are lessened. It is best to use a shower filter which removes chlorine.

17. Dress warmly and comfortably. Have clothes ready in the bathroom so you do not get cold. Put on socks or slippers and a warm stocking cap. Do not get cold or in a drafty area for at least 3 hours.

18. You’re done! Now you may lie down and go to sleep for the night, watch a movie or read a great book! Do not go out on the town or clean the house. It is vital that you rest. If you do not, the likelihood of a mild cold will be upon you.

19. Repeat the peat bath 2 to 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Then discontinue for one week before resuming therapy.

Cleaning the tub:

1. When your energy is back, drain the peat bath water. When bath water gone, rinse out the peat with your showerhead or a bucket of water.
2. Once peat is down the drain, take a damp sponge and wipe the sides of your bathtub.
3. The peat will not clog your drain
4. The peat will not stain your tub

Any questions, please do contact me. Peat bath therapy is an intense procedure and should be done properly. Please seek the advice from your physician should you decide to try it. If your physician has questions, please direct them to me. I will be glad to help.

In health,
Ben