Therapeutic Contrast Shower

Contrast shower is when water is switched between hot and cold.

This method is helping detoxification, supporting the circulatory, nervous and immune systems, as well as treatment for stress and recovery of sore areas after hard exercises.
There are a slightly different suggestions and procedures on how to take contrast shower, but the main points are similar.

After the regular shower, start by decreasing hot temperature as low as you can comfortably take it (over the time, you will be able to tolerate completely cold water). The whole body needs to be covered with cold water.

One cycle: 3 minutes hot, 1 minute or 30 sec cold

This can be done 3 times during the shower, or, if there is no time, at least one set have to be done. Also, the temperature difference can be increased over the cycles.
Important: always end with cold cycle and after the shower dry the body with the towel very quickly.

Precautions:
Reduce or temporary stop the cycles of contrast showers when you feel chilly, don’t feel strong, having illness, injury, menstruation, or undergoing some kind of treatment.

Also, the contrast showers are not recommended if following conditions present (consult with your doctor):

Heart or vascular disease, including hypertension, high blood cholesterol

Weak connective tissue

Vascular insufficiency or stasis, including blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, phlebitis

Asthma

Anemia or blood dyscrasias

Pregnancy

Diabetes

Some joint diseases

Malnutrition

Certain kinds of chronic infections

Water is Life

It is difficult to realize the significance of everything created by Mother-Nature when the simplicity of it is in front of us day after day.

We are often told that the consumption of water during a day is a must… you must drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day… drink water when exercising… etc.
We all hear about it constantly, but the truth is, it’s being ignored by a lot of us, including myself, as something we know have to be done one day, maybe, but don’t really do it.

For sure I know why it’s being disregarded by me. Because I need an easy but expert enough explanation of why, how much, and what... If I don’t know enough, the questions and doubts will be flying in my head such as:
- Two people with different weight can’t be taken the same amount of water per day.
- Are other liquids taken during the day counts as part of the 8-10 glasses?
- Is consumption of more water than your body need harmless?
- What actually happens when not enough water is consumed?
- I never want to drink water, it even makes me feel sick, why should I force myself?
and so on.

One day I found all my answers by simply reading couple of books written by F.Batmanghelidj, M.D. and searching the internet for more information. Batmanghelidj’s books are easy to read and have great explanations about the importance of water and direct effect to the health.

So, the simple truth and realization changed the way I am drinking water now.
Another important component is a sea salt, which replaced the table salt in my house.

To make a long story short, read the books and you will be amazed.

The highlights of my findings:
1. How much water does one need to drink:
Take your body weight, divide by 2. The result of this division is how many ounces of water your body needs during the day.
(Example: your weight = 160 lb. You will need to consume 80 oz of water a day).

Morning (before any meal) – up to 2 glasses
½ hr before each meal – 1 to2 glasses
2 ½ hr after meal – 1 to 1 ½ glasses
Before going to bed at night – 1 glass

2. How much of the sea salt need to be taken:
3 gr (1/2 tea spoon) for every 8-10 glasses of water
or ¼ tea spoon for 1 liter of water

Use salt liberally with food. As long as you drink the water, you can use the salt. Use only 50 to 80 mineral, no additive, unprocessed sea salt. Avoid table salt.
Unrefined sea salt is a better choice of salt than other types of salt on the market.

3. In summary
Drink appropriate amount of water per day.
Take appropriate amount of sea salt to replenish the lost minerals.
Sleep minimum 8-10 hours during night.
Exercise regularly.
If at all possible include swimming in your weekly activities.
Take contrast showers.
Walk or run at list twice in a week, total 3 - 5 hr.
Maintain a balanced, mineral rich diet, including fruits, vegetables, fat.
Reduce and later stop using product with caffeine or alcohol (every 6 oz. of caffeine or alcohol requires an additional 10 to 12 oz. of water to re-hydrate you.)
Do not use synthetic sugar substitutes.



Books by F.Batmanghelidj, M.D.:
‘You’re not sick, you’re thirsty!
‘Your body’s many cries for water’
‘Don’t treat thirst with medications’
‘Water: the new immune breakthrough & pain and cancer “wonder drug”
‘Water & Salt: Rx for total healing’
‘Water for healthier, pain-free life’
‘Dehydration and cancer’
‘How to deal with back pain’