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Using the Steamy Wonder™

Using the Steamy Wonder™ (by Richard Eidson, co-inventor of the Steamy Wonder™ and author of Hydrotherapy for Health & Wellness)

The following section is an explanation of the general principles of using the Steamy Wonder™ for steam therapy treatments. This has been included to provide a better understanding the way the Steamy Wonder™ is used during a steam therapy treatment.

Pre-Treatment

These are general pre-treatment steps before the client enters the room:

Place the fitted sheet on the massage table
Place another sheet or towel on the top of the fitted sheet
Add one quart of water to the steam generator pot. It will take 8 to 10 minutes for the steam generator to produce steam, so the steam generator should be turned on 8 to 10 minutes before you want the treatment to begin. It is best to used purified water for the treatment. Distilled water can also be used, but this is not necessary.

Treatment

Once the client is on the massage table, you could do a short massage if you are a massage therapist or skincare treatment if you are an esthetician. At anytime in the treatment sequence, you can begin the steam treatment. For example, a massage therapist may begin with the steam treatment and then do a massage. An esthetician may apply a skincare product to the client and then do the steam therapy.
When you want to begin the steam treatment, place the steam canopy over the client and attach it to the velcro on the special fitted sheet. The client is now covered by the steam canopy, so have them hand you the towel or sheet they are covered with and use this to cover the client's neck. This prevents the steam from escaping during the treatment.
Connect the "steam tunnel" at the back of the steam canopy over the steam generator. The steam generator should have been turned on about 8 to 10 minutes before, so that it is just starting to generate steam when the treatment begins.
Connect the temperature gauge to the steam canopy. With about 30 seconds will you get an accurate reading. Once the steam generator is producing steam, it will take about 3 to 5 minutes for the steam canopy to heat to the desired temperature..
Some things to do during the steam treatment:
1. After about 10 minutes or so, when the client begins to feel hot, place a cool towel on the client's forehead. My favorite is to use a misting bottle, with water that contains a lavender hydrosol (or any type of hydrosol), to keep the client cool.
2. Never leave the client alone for long periods of time. Always know that the client is comfortable. The client should always know that they can tell you if they are uncomfortable for any reason.
3. Most clients like to have their head, neck and shoulders lightly massaged at intervals during the treatment. It is possible for massage therapists to massage the head, neck, shoulders and upper body during the steam treatment.
4. Clients can lay on their back, stomach or even side and also change positions during the treatment.

End of the Treatment

At the end of the treatment, you turn off the steam generator, open the zipper in the back of the canopy and remove the fan. Then remove the light sheet or towel around the client's neck. It will take about 3 or 4 minutes for the temperature inside the steam canopy to return to normal. Give the client a towel inside the steam canopy and have the client cover themselves with the towel. Now, remove the steam canopy from the massage table.
Usually, the steam treatment will be followed by a massage or skincare treatment. But if the client is going to leave the massage table after the steam treatment, make the sure the client has several minutes to cool down and then always assist the client as they get off the table. Normally 8% of the blood flow is going through the skin, but after a steam therapy treatment, almost 30% of the blood flow is going to the skin.

In summary, it is very easy to perform a steam therapy treatment and provide your client with a personalized steamy therapy treatment while they are laying on a comfortable massage table. This is the best form of steam therapy.

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