Routine: Contrast Showers
This is a simple, daily hydrotherapy practice to boost immunity, improve digestion and promote autonomic nervous system balance.
The technique entails switching between hot and cold water applications in the shower.
This practice is best used daily to gradually build up nervous system balance.
The phase of hot water causes a dilation in blood vessels, the cold water then causes constriction. The variation of the two creates a pumping action causing increased circulation, nourishment to tissues, oxygenation of cells, increased metabolic activity and immune processes.
The hot application must be 3-4 times longer than the cold phase and repeated 2-3 times before finishing the shower, always ending on cold.
For example:
Hot water — 2 minutes
Cold water — 30 seconds
Hot water — 2 minutes
Cold water — 30 seconds
Hot water — 2 minutes
Cold water — 30 seconds
Slowly build up the cold application (temperature and duration), start with cool water and slowly work down to colder temperatures. Monitor your skin reactions, if you are red and blotchy you have gone too cold too quickly.
Consult with your healthcare practitioner to find out if this technique is right for you. Caution for those with poor vitality, blood pressure irregularities and vascular disease.
Resources: — Lectures in Naturopathic Hydrotherapy by Wade Boyle and André Sade (1988).
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