Wrap according to kneipp

A wrap is understood as the circular grasping of the whole body or just one part of the body by means of three cloths. The main knowledge about this procedure was developed by S. Kneipp.

In addition to full body wraps (including arms, without head), calf and hip wraps, torso wraps, leg wraps, abdominal wraps, chest wraps, neck wraps and cross wraps are also used. They are mostly administered while lying in bed.

The strength of the stimulus can be increased by different additives.

Distinguish according to the area of the body:

Chest wrap: from the armpits to under the ribcage- wrap size: 80 x 180 cm

Hand/arm wrap: 60 x 90 cm

foot, calf and leg wraps: 80 x 80 resp. 100 cm

Lumbar w rap: 80 x 180 cm

Full body w rap: 190 x 230 cm

Besides full body wraps (including arms, without head), calf and hip wraps, torso wraps, leg, body, chest, neck and cross wraps are also used. They are usually administered lying in bed.

A distinction is made:

• cold stimulating
• heat-removing
• heat accumulating
• sweaty
• hot packs

Wraps that stimulate cold: Soak the linen cloth in cold water and then squeeze it well. The application time is 20 to 30 minutes. Reheating should be felt about 10 minutes after the wrapping is finished.

Heat-absorbing compresses: Soak a coarse linen cloth in lukewarm water (20 to 25 degrees Celsius) and squeeze well. Leave to rest for 10 to 20 minutes. A stronger heat extraction is achieved by leaving out the intermediate and wool cloths.

Heat accumulating wraps: Strongly wring out a coarse linen cloth and remove it about 1.5 hours before the sweat starts to form.

Sweat-inducing wraps: work like heat-accumulating wraps, but use a higher lying time of 1.5 to 2 hours and a sweat formation.

Hot compresses: are usually used with additives such as hay flowers or chamomile. The wraps are used at a temperature of 40 to 45 degrees Celsius and for 30 to 45 minutes.

Materials: Disposable foil, molleton outer cloth, linen cloth, intermediate cloth or similar material like a hay-flower sack.

How toapply the wrap: The backing sheet should be folded to fit the support surface. Then soak the carrier sheet with water or the substance, wring it out well and, after checking the temperature, place it on the part of the body concerned. The patient should now be wrapped firmly with an inner cloth and then an intermediate cloth. Afterwards, the patient is wrapped tightly with an outer cloth. The patient is now covered with a blanket, air chambers and drafts should be avoided.
Silence and darkness should be provided.

Follow-up:
The patient unrolls himself/herself and removes the inner and intermediate sheets. He then wraps himself back into the outer sheet and covers himself with the blanket. The after-rest usually corresponds to the lying time. It should not be showered or washed for up to one hour after the end of the after-rest.

If possible, no synthetic fibres should be used. The size of the cloths must be adapted to the treatment area and body dimensions.

1. Fritz C (2012) in Beer A M et al [Ed.] Leitfaden Naturheilverfahren für die ärztliche Praxis, Urban und Fischer Verlag S 35f.