Re: Anyone Heard of Cool Water Bath Treatments?

[Guest guest]

Hi Jim,

I can't specifically help you, but I remember this theory going around

here in the UK about 1990. I believe Barry Sheene (former British

racing motor cyclist - now deceased) tried it for a fatigue-like illness

when he moved to Australia. - Wonder if there are any Australians on

the list who may know more precise details. Not sure that it actually

worked though!

Rosie

Hi,

I heard today from a friend who met up with one of their old friends

at a reunion that had CFS quite bad for years running from doctor to

dcotor with no improvement and then recovered near fully from taking

cold baths. Apparently he took baths of something like 50 or 60

degrees F starting with a few minutes and then gradually built up to

longer and longer ones. Apparently he saw some improvement after a

few weeks and improved significantly after a few months. I've heard

of warm bath hydrotherapy and saunas to kill viruses/bacteria and

sweat toxins, and I've heard Dr. Lapp speculate that because even 90-

95 degree baths reduce core temperature that they may help by

reducing immune activation, but I've never seen anything specifically

advocating a cool bath treatment protocol for CFS.

I searched the web, but could not find anything significant (maybe I

didn't use the right buzz-words). I did see one site that speculated

that reducing body temp. might have an antiviral effect, but that it

might be contraindicated in bacterial infections like Lyme (which I

also have) which prefers cooler temps.

I'm still trying to see if I can get more details through my friend

if possible which may take a while (I'll post anything I get), but

has anybody heard of this? I would be very interested in finding out

more about the theory behind it and the specific protocol that is

recommended for CFS so I can give it a try. It seems as simple, non-

toxic, inexpensive, and harmless as treatments come, so if it doesn't

work it's no great loss. Anyone know about this? Please let me know.

Thanks,

Jim

This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with

each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any

treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor.

[Guest guest]

Kakkar is your man, but not everyone agrees with him see:

Nelly

http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=277

Cold water therapy - This was advocated as a treatment for fatigue by Kakkar. It

probably works because it gives the adrenal glands a huge " kick " . However, if

the adrenal glands are not working properly, as in CFS, then the patient feels

awful. I don't recommend cold baths.

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.med.cfs/browse_frm/thread/9a16296a019a50\

ef/eaa6c264c657c9e6?q=kakkar+cold+fatigue+treatment & rnum=3 & hl=en#eaa6c264c657c9e\

6

Four small steps into the bath

Professor Vijay Kakkar outlines the stages of a programme of

Thermo-Regulatory Hydrotherapy. Thermo-regulatory Hydrotherapy (TRHT) is

organised in four stages. The whole therapy lasts for approximately 30

minutes at a time and can be practised in your own home without expensive

equipment. The essentials are a thermometer, a clock and, for safety a

rubber mat.

Stage 1: Adapting the feet to cold water and touch.

The skin of the feet has a large number of nerve-endings and is quite

sensitive to touch, pressure and pain. So-called " reflexology " , a way of

aiding relaxation, is based on stimulating receptors in the skin. The same

principle is used now by walking in the cold water for three to five

minutes. The nerve impulses generated in this way prime the body's

thermostat (hypothalamus).

Stage 2: Adapting the lower half of the body to cold.

A significant amount of blood circulates in the skin, subcutaneous tissues

and muscles of the lower body. By immersing the lower in cold water for

three to five minutes, the thermostat increases impulses which stimulate

the pituitary gland, increasing metabolic activity. It is important that

the body has enough time to adapt to the cold water before moving to the

next stage.

Stage 3: Total body immersion.

This is the most important phase of the therapy. The whole body, including

the neck and the lower part of the back of the head, is now gradually

immersed. Initially a large number of cold and pressure receptors in the

skin are stimulated, so that a massive number of impulses reach the

thermostat. In responses, blood vessels constrict and the skin becomes

pale. There may be a slowing of the heart rate. The water touching the

skin is slightly warmed by the body so it is essential to keep moving.

This stage lasts from 10-20 minutes - as outlined in the exercise programme

chart.

Stage 4: Rewarming.

In the re-warming phase the body once again adjusts itself to the

surrounding temperature. Several interesting things happen, including a

glowing appearance of the feet, chest, face and back between the

shoulder-blades. This response most probably results from the distribution

of body fat. There are two types of fat cells in the body - one

constitutes brown fat and the other white fat. The brown fat which makes

up a small percentage of the total body fat, is located between the

shoulder-blades, on the nape of the neck, along the great vessel in the

thorax and abdomen and in other scattered locations. Stimulation of brown

fat cells leads to heat production and hence the glowing appearance. The

duration of the re- warming stage depends on the temperature of the cold

water in stage 3 and the air temperature; it may last between four and six

hours. During this phase, the body experiences the maximum release of

energy, probably arising from an increase in metabolic activity. Over the

ensuing 12-18 hours, this increased activity gradually returns to normal,

and the following morning the body is ready for another challenge.

HEALTH WARNING

If you are suffering from well-established heart disease, high blood

pressure or another chronic medical illness which requires medication, do

not attempt TRHT without first consulting your doctor. Do not be tempted

to speed up the training programme by increasing the duration of the

therapy or suddenly lowering the temperature of the water recommended at

each stage. TRHT is not recommended for children below the age of 13.

However if practised, it must be under strict medical supervision. Do not

attempt rapidly to warm the body after the therapy by taking a hot bath or

shower. The best way to warm is to dress quickly and take a hot drink and

something to eat containing enough carbohydrate which provides a ready

source of energy required to meet the demand of increased metabolic

activity. Do not undertake physical exercise after completing the TRHT

session. If you wish to take exercise, it is strongly advisable to do so

before the therapy.

The European: eLAN 23-29 Spetember 1994.

--end-

--------

Programme Table

Day Temp Temp Time

Day 1 22 ?C 72 ?F 5 min

Day 2 22 ?C 72 ?F 6 min

Day 3 22 ?C 72 ?F 7 min

Day 4 22 ?C 72 ?F 8 min

Day 5 22 ?C 72 ?F 9 min

Day 6 22 ?C 72 ?F 10 min

Day 7 22 ?C 72 ?F 11 min

Day 8 22 ?C 72 ?F 12 min

Day 9 22 ?C 72 ?F 13 min

Day 10 22 ?C 72 ?F 14 min

Day 11 22 ?C 72 ?F 15 min

Day 12 22 ?C 72 ?F 15 min

Day 13 22 ?C 72 ?F 15 min

Day 14 22 ?C 72 ?F 15 min

Day 15 22 ?C 72 ?F 15 min

Day 16 21 ?C 70 ?F 15 min

Day 17 21 ?C 70 ?F 15 min

Day 18 21 ?C 70 ?F 16 min

Day 19 21 ?C 70 ?F 17 min

Day 20 21 ?C 70 ?F 18 min

Day 21 21 ?C 70 ?F 19 min

Day 22 21 ?C 70 ?F 20 min

Day 23 21 ?C 70 ?F 20 min

Day 24 20 ?C 68 ?F 15 min

Day 25 20 ?C 68 ?F 15 min

Day 26 20 ?C 68 ?F 16 min

Day 27 20 ?C 68 ?F 17 min

Day 28 20 ?C 68 ?F 18 min

Day 29 20 ?C 68 ?F 19 min

Day 30 20 ?C 68 ?F 20 min

Day 31 20 ?C 68 ?F 20 min

Day 32 19 ?C 66 ?F 15 min

Day 33 19 ?C 66 ?F 15 min

Day 34 19 ?C 66 ?F 16 min

Day 35 19 ?C 66 ?F 17 min

Day 36 19 ?C 66 ?F 18 min

Day 37 19 ?C 66 ?F 19 min

Day 38 19 ?C 66 ?F 20 min

Day 39 19 ?C 66 ?F 20 min

Day 40 18 ?C 64 ?F 15 min

Day 41 18 ?C 64 ?F 15 min

Day 42 18 ?C 64 ?F 16 min

Day 43 18 ?C 64 ?F 17 min

Day 44 18 ?C 64 ?F 18 min

Day 45 18 ?C 64 ?F 19 min

Day 46 18 ?C 64 ?F 20 min

Day 47 18 ?C 64 ?F 20 min

Day 48 17 ?C 63 ?F 15 min

Day 49 17 ?C 63 ?F 15 min

Day 50 17 ?C 63 ?F 16 min

Day 51 17 ?C 63 ?F 17 min

Day 52 17 ?C 63 ?F 18 min

Day 53 17 ?C 63 ?F 19 min

Day 54 17 ?C 63 ?F 20 min

Day 55 17 ?C 63 ?F 20 min

Day 56 16 ?C 61 ?F 15 min

Day 57 16 ?C 61 ?F 15 min

Day 58 16 ?C 61 ?F 16 min

Day 59 16 ?C 61 ?F 17 min

Day 60 16 ?C 61 ?F 18 min

Day 61 16 ?C 61 ?F 19 min

Day 62 16 ?C 61 ?F 20 min

Day 63 16 ?C 61 ?F 20 min

Day 64 15 ?C 59 ?F 15 min

Day 65 15 ?C 59 ?F 15 min

Day 66 15 ?C 59 ?F 16 min

Day 67 15 ?C 59 ?F 17 min

Day 68 15 ?C 59 ?F 18 min

Day 69 15 ?C 59 ?F 19 min

Day 70 15 ?C 59 ?F 20 min

Day 71 15 ?C 59 ?F 20 min

Day 72 14 ?C 57 ?F 15 min

Day 73 14 ?C 57 ?F 15 min

Day 74 14 ?C 57 ?F 15 min

Day 75 14 ?C 57 ?F 15 min

Day 76 14 ?C 57 ?F 16 min

Day 77 14 ?C 57 ?F 17 min

Day 78 14 ?C 57 ?F 18 min

Day 79 14 ?C 57 ?F 19 min

Day 80 14 ?C 57 ?F 20 min

Day 81 14 ?C 57 ?F 20 min

Day 82 14 ?C 57 ?F 20 min

Day 83 14 ?C 57 ?F 20 min

Day 84 14 ?C 57 ?F 20 min

Day 85 14 ?C 57 ?F 20 min

Day 86 14 ?C 57 ?F 20 min

Anyone Heard of Cool Water Bath Treatments?

Hi,

I heard today from a friend who met up with one of their old friends

at a reunion that had CFS quite bad for years running from doctor to

dcotor with no improvement and then recovered near fully from taking

cold baths. Apparently he took baths of something like 50 or 60

degrees F starting with a few minutes and then gradually built up to

longer and longer ones. Apparently he saw some improvement after a

few weeks and improved significantly after a few months. I've heard

of warm bath hydrotherapy and saunas to kill viruses/bacteria and

sweat toxins, and I've heard Dr. Lapp speculate that because even 90-

95 degree baths reduce core temperature that they may help by

reducing immune activation, but I've never seen anything specifically

advocating a cool bath treatment protocol for CFS.

I searched the web, but could not find anything significant (maybe I

didn't use the right buzz-words). I did see one site that speculated

that reducing body temp. might have an antiviral effect, but that it

might be contraindicated in bacterial infections like Lyme (which I

also have) which prefers cooler temps.

I'm still trying to see if I can get more details through my friend

if possible which may take a while (I'll post anything I get), but

has anybody heard of this? I would be very interested in finding out

more about the theory behind it and the specific protocol that is

recommended for CFS so I can give it a try. It seems as simple, non-

toxic, inexpensive, and harmless as treatments come, so if it doesn't

work it's no great loss. Anyone know about this? Please let me know.

Thanks,

Jim

This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each

other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment

discussed here, please consult your doctor.

[Guest guest]

I can say from one experience that it has to do with raising the metabolism

and/or increasing circulation.

I once, before I was very sick at all, bathed briefly in a very cold stream in

the early evening and then spent the entire night seated, outdoors, with a small

group of people. That night everyone huddled in their wraps, but I sat

comfortably without mine for the most part.

I have a friend who follows some Yogi and she takes cold showers. She taught me,

but I got distracted and quit. I was working up to (or down to) lower temps. Her

method included first scrubbing the body, then oiling it (sesame?)- and then

showering. Briefly. Now that summer is here I think I will try it again.

Adrienne

Anyone Heard of Cool Water Bath Treatments?

Hi,

I heard today from a friend who met up with one of their old friends

at a reunion that had CFS quite bad for years running from doctor to

dcotor with no improvement and then recovered near fully from taking

cold baths. Apparently he took baths of something like 50 or 60

degrees F starting with a few minutes and then gradually built up to

longer and longer ones. Apparently he saw some improvement after a

few weeks and improved significantly after a few months. I've heard

of warm bath hydrotherapy and saunas to kill viruses/bacteria and

sweat toxins, and I've heard Dr. Lapp speculate that because even 90-

95 degree baths reduce core temperature that they may help by

reducing immune activation, but I've never seen anything specifically

advocating a cool bath treatment protocol for CFS.

I searched the web, but could not find anything significant (maybe I

didn't use the right buzz-words). I did see one site that speculated

that reducing body temp. might have an antiviral effect, but that it

might be contraindicated in bacterial infections like Lyme (which I

also have) which prefers cooler temps.

I'm still trying to see if I can get more details through my friend

if possible which may take a while (I'll post anything I get), but

has anybody heard of this? I would be very interested in finding out

more about the theory behind it and the specific protocol that is

recommended for CFS so I can give it a try. It seems as simple, non-

toxic, inexpensive, and harmless as treatments come, so if it doesn't

work it's no great loss. Anyone know about this? Please let me know.

Thanks,

Jim

This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each

other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment

discussed here, please consult your doctor.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi

I was advised back in the 90s that the energy needed to reheat the body

afterwards was

very bad for PWME and would do more harm than any good. Never tried it though.

Hayley

>

> Hi Jim,

>

> I can't specifically help you, but I remember this theory going around

> here in the UK about 1990. I believe Barry Sheene (former British

> racing motor cyclist - now deceased) tried it for a fatigue-like illness

> when he moved to Australia. - Wonder if there are any Australians on

> the list who may know more precise details. Not sure that it actually

> worked though!

>

> Rosie

>

>

>

> Hi,

> I heard today from a friend who met up with one of their old friends

> at a reunion that had CFS quite bad for years running from doctor to

> dcotor with no improvement and then recovered near fully from taking

> cold baths. Apparently he took baths of something like 50 or 60

> degrees F starting with a few minutes and then gradually built up to

> longer and longer ones. Apparently he saw some improvement after a

> few weeks and improved significantly after a few months. I've heard

> of warm bath hydrotherapy and saunas to kill viruses/bacteria and

> sweat toxins, and I've heard Dr. Lapp speculate that because even 90-

> 95 degree baths reduce core temperature that they may help by

> reducing immune activation, but I've never seen anything specifically

> advocating a cool bath treatment protocol for CFS.

>

> I searched the web, but could not find anything significant (maybe I

> didn't use the right buzz-words). I did see one site that speculated

> that reducing body temp. might have an antiviral effect, but that it

> might be contraindicated in bacterial infections like Lyme (which I

> also have) which prefers cooler temps.

>

> I'm still trying to see if I can get more details through my friend

> if possible which may take a while (I'll post anything I get), but

> has anybody heard of this? I would be very interested in finding out

> more about the theory behind it and the specific protocol that is

> recommended for CFS so I can give it a try. It seems as simple, non-

> toxic, inexpensive, and harmless as treatments come, so if it doesn't

> work it's no great loss. Anyone know about this? Please let me know.

> Thanks,

> Jim

>

>

>

>

>

> This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with

> each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any

> treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jim,

Cold baths have been popular as a treatment in the UK

off and on for a while now.

I benefited from cold baths (and cold sea-bathing),

before I read about them as a possible treatment, as

the cold seems to help my poor circulation. It did

not however provide a cure for me at all and did not

help with viral symptoms.

Sadly, I have not been able to have cold baths since a

road traffic accident left me with wise-spread

injuries, as the cold makes the injury pain much

worse.

I really miss the cold baths and still have a craving

for cold seawater.

With warmest regards,

Annette

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