Do you have a sore throat or other part of your body?

Try Mamavis® Priessnitz wrap

The Priessnitz wrap consists of a cool wet cloth layer and a dry warm layer. In modern times, the classic design has been modified and the use of plastic over the first moist cold layer of the wrap has begun. However, prolonged use of the wrap with plastic can in some cases cause the skin irritation due to steaming (Jandova, 2009).

Mamavis wraps combine all the classic layers, including the so-called “modern layer” – i.e. plastic. However, there is no classic plastic in the wraps , but a warm, breathable core, so you do not have to worry about irritating your skin as you would with plastic.

Soak the inner part in cold water

But how do these layers work together?

Priessnitz wraps are cold steam wraps applied locally to the surface of the body to stimulate local blood circulation. (Capko, 1998)

“There are several stages to the process of applying the tiles:

Phase 1: is hypothermic and lasts 5-10 minutes. Vasoconstriction occurs.
Phase 2: is isothermal, lasts 30-40 minutes. Vasoconstriction gradually changes to vasodilation.
Phase 3: hyperthermic, occurs during the 60-80 minutes. Local vasodilation (active hyperemia) occurs at the site of the wrapped area” (Capko, 1998).

Do you understand these technical terms? Apparently very few people do. I had a bit of a problem with them too, so in the following lines I will simplify the effects of Priessnitz wrap for you:

If we use the wrap like a classic Priessnitz wrap, i.e. the inner part is soaked in cold water, wrung out, put back into the wrap and applied to the affected area, three phases occur:

• The first stage is to lower the temperature by cold compresses, which causes the blood vessels to constrict, or vasoconstrict.
• In the second phase, the temperature stabilises and the constricted blood vessels gradually dilate.
• During the third phase, the temperature increases, overheating occurs and the blood vessels dilate at the site, which is called vasodilation. Active hyperemia is a congestion caused by increased blood flow to the area.

The increased blood flow allows immune system cells to reach the sore area more quickly, and the sore part of the body heals more quickly.

The blood vessels first constrict and then dilate

The dilation of the blood vessels results in increased blood flow and permeability (faster delivery and permeability of immune system cells, also increases the availability of oxygen, nutrients and glucose to the muscles).

Relieves your body

It always depends on the nature and duration of your problem, so it depends on when you start treating the problem and how often you use the wrap.

Have you at least partially understood how Priessnitz Wraps work? If you have any further questions about the function of Priessnitz Wraps, do not hesitate to contact us!

Resources:

JANDOVA, Dobroslava. Balneology. Prague: Grada, 2009. ISBN 978-80-247-2820-9.

CAPKO, Jan. Basics of physiotherapeutic treatment. Prague: Grada, 1998. ISBN 80-7169-341-3.