J. Novotny MD, is currently the Head Physician of the Priessnitz Spa in Jesenik. We bring you instructions directly from the Chief Physician on the correct use of Priessnitz compresses and wraps.
Manual – Priessnitz wraps
There is a fundamental difference between soothing and irritating wrap. Astringent wraps are used for acute conditions – injuries, fever, acute infections, general pain (headache, abdominal pain, muscle pain).
Astringent wraps are currently the most widely used and medically recognised and proven. Very often the use of these wraps can achieve a better therapeutic effect than proven drugs and other medical substances.
Irritant wraps are used for chronic conditions that last for weeks or months. These wraps were used extensively by V. Priessnitz at the time of his greatest fame. However, as the use of these wraps leads to crises, they are very rarely used today.
Soothing wraps
The wrap consists of three layers – the first is a cloth soaked in cold water, preferably 8-16°C/46-60°F and should be well wrung out. This is covered by a semi-permeable layer – a thick canvas or, nowadays, semi-permeable synthetic materials. Under no circumstances should plastic be used !!!! All this is covered with a layer of dry fabric. In order for the wrap to have an optimal effect, the wrap must be replaced after the inner layer has warmed up. The application time for a wrap is approximately 5-10 minutes. These wraps need to be repeated for optimum effect. V. Priessnitz repeated the application 20-40 times a day.
I recommend soothing wraps using the comfortable and improved Mamavis method. More instructional videos here.
Soothing wrapping effect:
Cold has
1. analgesic effect at the site – relieves pain
2. anti-inflammatory – relieves inflammation by first constricting and then reactively dilating the blood vessels at the site of application with increased oxygen and defensive substances to the site of inflammation and increased flushing of toxic substances that are the product of the inflammatory process.
3. reduces and eliminates swelling by increasing blood and lymph circulation in the area of application.
Use of soothing Priessnitz wraps:
Post-injury conditions – acute joint and muscle pain
For common fevers, wrap the head, chest or legs.
Acute pain: head, teeth, joints, muscles, abdomen,
Swellings of post-traumatic or vascular origin
Inflammation of the veins
Psychological disorders – especially depression.
The subject of irritant wraps already belongs to the field of medical and rehabilitative care and should therefore not be addressed by the general public in order to avoid damage to health due to unprofessional application and evaluation of the response to this treatment.
J. Novotny MD
Chief Physician of Priessnitz Health Spa a.s.