Contrast Hydrotherapy

Contrast Hydrotherapy is the use of alternating warm and cold water to stimulate blood and lymph flow. The action of opening and closing blood and lymph vessels stimulates movement and reduces swelling and inflammation.

Contrast hydrotherapy is great for any chronic joint pain, but also great for pelvic congestion, which is seen in numerous hormonal issues. The other amazing thing about contrast hydrotherapy in particular, is it is often helpful for mood. The act of breathing through cold stimulation forces us to be present and brings us back into our body. This is great because many of us spend so much time distracted or actively not feeling into our bodies, contrast hydrotherapy reminds us to breath through unexpected or unpleasant situations. It is the quickest hack to mindfulness I know.

The basics of contrast hydro is to do at least 3 minutes warm/hot followed by 30 seconds cold, repeated three times, always ending on cool/cold. You can do this using the shower, or with use washcloths around an area of swelling, or lymph nodes such as those in the groin or armpits.

Avoid getting your neck and head submerged in cold if you are using the shower. From a traditional medicine perspective, this would bring in pathogenic wind or cold that may not be helpful, especially in cold and flu season.

The temperature extremes do not have to be scorching hot or ice cold, although you may increase your tolerance over time and become one of those super cool cats who do cold plunges without issue. I still like a good cathartic scream in a cold plunge, but that is just me.

Always ending in cold to help the blood flow back up into your heart (as warm brings blood flow to the surface which, when stagnant, causes the varicosity pain).

It is important to warmed up after so put on some comfy sweats/sweater, socks and scarf if you feel at all chilled. You can even soak your warm/cold washcloths in herbal teas such as echinacea, rosemary, and thyme to get some aromatherapy as well.

Happy Healing,

Dr. Bethany