Using hot-cold shower hydrotherapy to improve health

We typically think of showers as a way to cleanse the outside of the body, but it turns out we should also think of them as a way to naturally cleanse, detox and heal the inner body.

Taking a hot-cold shower — alternating between hot and cold temperature during your shower — can provide a tremendous amount of benefits for the body.

Hydrotherapy, which is a particular part of occupational therapy and physiotherapy, has been used for the relief of pain and treatment dating back to ancient Egyptian, Persian, Greek and Roman civilizations.

The approach takes advantage of the physical properties of water, including temperature and pressure, for therapeutic purposes.

Mainly, it can give a major boost to blood circulation within the body, removing toxins and benefiting the organs.

Showers provide an easy way to take advantage of water’s properties.

How it works

Hot water, for most, is very soothing and relaxing.

So when we take a hot shower, we become more relaxed, relieving stress.

Cold water helps relieve inflammation, boost circulation and removes toxins from the lymph and skin.

When cold water hits our body, the flow of blood directs inward, toward our organs.

The opposite occurs as hot water hits our skin.

So when we alternate cold and hot water on our bodies, we make the flow of blood move in and out like an accordion.

And that can unclog various areas, cleanse our system and move nutrients more efficiently.

How to do it

Most experts say that the best way to start out is with a temperature that you’re comfortable with in the shower.

Then slowly increase the temperature until you’d consider the water fairly hot, but only leave it on temporarily.

It’s important to note that you shouldn’t scald yourself — this can work with moderate temperatures.

Once you’re ready, slowly decrease the temperature until you’re taking a cold shower.

This should be fairly cold, especially since cold shower benefits are numerous.

Make sure your entire body gets cold, and then turn it the water back up to hot.

And when you’re hot again, you can go back to cold.

Repeat that process as long as you’d like, but make sure to listen to your body.

Stop if you’re too hot or cold.

Additional hydrotherapy

As much as hot-cold shower therapy can benefit you on a daily basis, other water therapy — like colon hydrotherapy — can also add to your detox program.

Call us today for more information on cold shower benefits, hydrotherapy or to book an appointment:

Palos Verdes: 310-392-9190
Santa Monica: 310-399-1722

Our goal is to restore your body’s natural ability to heal.

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