Alternating Hot and Cold Shower

Definition: A shower that uses abrupt changes in hot and cold. The greater the contrast the better the effect of the treatment.

The contrast shower is a simple way to stimulate the circulatory system and promote detoxification, and it can also be effective in treating
areas of general pain and soreness. The idea is simple: alternating between hot and cold water while you are
showering to stimulate your body to heat itself up and cool itself down, in order to compensate. The contrast in temperatures
helps to normalize the many systems of the body and is very effective in helping the body cope with stress.


There are some medical conditions for which the contrast shower are not recommended:

• Heart disease or vascular disease, including hypertension, high blood cholesterol, intermittent claudication, weak
  connective tissue (relating to high risk for plaque rupturing), etc.
  
• Vascular insufficiency or stasis, including blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, phlebitis, etc.
  
• Asthma
  
• Pregnancy
  
• Diabetes
  
• Cold urticaria or cold-induced hemolysis
  
• Raynaud’s syndrome or phenomenon
  

Discontinue or decrease intensity of contrast shower if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, or excessively chilled. Acute
illness, menstruation, dehydration, decreased vitality, and poor nutrition can limit your tolerance for contrast treatment and
in these cases it should be undertaken cautiously.

Procedures:

1. Turn on shower and adjust to proper temperature before getting in.

2. Feet should be warm before starting the treatment.

3. Begin with water temp about 102 degrees and quickly increase to 108-110 degrees.
Stay at this temp for 3 min.

4. Quickly lower water temp between 80-85 degrees for 20-30 sec.

5. Raise temperature quickly to 112-114 degrees or more, if tolerable, for 3 min.

6. Quickly lower water temp between 70-75 degrees for 20-30 sec.

7. Again quickly raise water temperature to 116-118 degrees for 3 min.

8. Lower water temperature to a neutral position 94-97 degrees for a minute, and then decrease water temperature to faucet cold and turn off.

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