Local Hydrotherapy Using Moor Mud Single Foments

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.

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