Cart

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping now

Hot-Cold Showers For Longevity

By: Melissa Cugliari

 

Bathing is a part of our daily routines and is an excellent time to implement some health boosting techniques. Hot-Cold showers, also known as Alternating Showers, are an easy and cost-effective way to promote health. I have seen countless individuals report improved energy, skin quality, digestion, along with countless other benefits through the regular use of Alternating Showers. Here are the ins and outs of why an alternating shower a day may help keep the doctor away.

 

Naturopathic Hydrotherapy

 

For millennia, cultures have utilized hydrotherapy to improve health and vitality. Hydrotherapy refers to the application of water internally or externally to treat disease and support health. Hydrotherapy works by modifying circulation. When we shift the circulation, we begin to see shifts in our physiology. 

 

Health is proportional to normal flow of healthy blood and lymph, also known as our vital fluids. The better the vital fluid flow and the more nutrient-rich the vital fluid is, the healthier we are. Naturopathic Hydrotherapy assists in this process - it supports flow of blood and lymph to the tissues and the quality of the vital fluids that are circulating to the tissues - and therefore, supports health. 

 

In other words, Naturopathic Hydrotherapy improves health by optimizing the quality of vital fluids and enhances their circulation. 

 

Alternating Showers

 

One transformational way to include Naturopathic Hydrotherapy in your day-to-day is via Alternating Showers. This involves using short bursts of hot / cold water to stimulate circulation. The hot bursts will cause vasodilation, or an opening of your blood + lymphatic vessels and the cold will cause vasoconstriction, or the narrowing of your blood + lymphatic vessels. This stimulates the pumping action of the vasculature and increases circulation. 

 

In using external applications of hot/cold, we can change the temperature + circulation of the superficial blood vessels, which translates to a change to circulation internally, which can be incredibly beneficial. Enhanced external circulation leads to an increase in circulation to our ‘organs of elimination’; these organs (skin, liver, kidneys, and bowels) allow the body to detoxify. Balanced detoxification is key to the quality of our vital fluids -- it keeps our blood and lymph free of material that does not nourish the system. 

 

Treatment with hot/cold applications can also help increase desirable elements like oxygen, nutrients, red and white blood cells, etc. in the blood by tonifying the digestive and lung function -- two organ systems which bring nutrients (via digestion and respiration) into the system.

 

Overall, this stimulation via contrasting temperatures increases oxygen absorption, carbon dioxide excretion, and metabolism. The short bursts of cold improve tissue tone, white and red blood cell count, and decreases blood glucose. All of these functions are health promoting.

 

Procedure

 

At the end of your usual shower, begin the treatment with: 

 

60 seconds of warm/hot

30 seconds of cool/cold

 

Repeat this three times, always ending with cold. 

 

This treatment is best done away from meals, upon waking or after exercise. 

 

To determine what ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ means for you, remember that the hot portion of the shower should be tolerable but cause some rosiness to the skin. The cold portion to be tolerable, but uncomfortable. I suggest patients begin with their usual shower temperature for the ‘hot’ portion of the treatment followed by as cold as they can handle for the cold portion. 

 

If you are short on time, you can simply end your regular shower with a burst of cool/cold water for 30 seconds. This will still confer some benefit.

 

Be cautious not to scald your skin with overly hot water. If you are leaving the shower feeling chilled or feeling a sensation of cold for the rest of the day, this means that you have gone too cold, and to scale back. If this does not improve, this treatment may not be for you and it is recommended you speak to your Naturopathic Doctor prior to continuing.

 

Do not perform this technique if you are menstruating, pregnant or if you have pre-existing vascular or circulatory disease, arrhythmias, high or low blood pressure. Avoid when ill and exercise caution if elderly. As always, seek the advice of your Medical or Naturopathic Doctor prior to beginning this technique.

 

Dr. Melissa Cugliari, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and member of the Canadian and Ontario Associations of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND, CAND).

 

Dr. Melissa practices under the premise that there is no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to healthcare. She recognizes the complexities of each individual and seeks to treat each patient according to his or her distinct needs. Her treatments integrate modern evidence-based techniques and diagnostic testing with the ancient healing wisdom of herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and other naturopathic modalities to create comprehensive, individualized treatment protocols addressing the unique needs of each patient.

 

Dr. Melissa focuses her practice in dermatology and digestive, and is the creator of Renouveau Health—a company dedicated to botanical skincare and natural facial treatments. Her practice is located in Toronto, Canada. 

 

Previous
Next

The Wellness Club

Reducing Inflammation Through Exercise

Reducing Inflammation Through Exercise

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By @coreflexpilates founder @chrisbardawil Joint pain after exercise, headaches or brain fog after a bad night's sleep, and digestive distress after eating are all symptoms of systemic inflammation. While there are many articles and discussions about various foods and diets to reduce inflammation, little attention is paid to reducing inflammation through exercise. Inflammation in itself isn't a bad thing....

Read more
Stomach Acid: the Key to Digestion and Glowing Skin

Stomach Acid: the Key to Digestion and Glowing Skin

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co The purpose of the human digestive system is to break down foods, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste; without this, humans would not be able to function. Stomach acid plays a key role in this process, allowing the body not only to survive but to thrive. After chewing, the food we eat travels to the stomach. The stomach churns and combines broken...

Read more
A Naturopathic Approach to Skin Health

A Naturopathic Approach to Skin Health

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

Q&A with Dr. Laura Belus 1) Tell us a bit about yourself    I am a practising naturopathic doctor in Mississauga Canada. My focus is on hormonal health, specifically when it comes to acne, PMS and fertility. My own journey...

Read more
Creating a Self-Care Routine for Busy Professionals

Creating a Self-Care Routine for Busy Professionals

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy If you’re a high-achieving woman, you likely relate to juggling multiple responsibilities, from demanding careers to personal commitments. When we are overwhelmed, it’s easy to believe the limiting stories we tell ourselves about not having enough time. We must willingly embrace a different narrative: that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. Incorporating self-care into your daily routine is...

Read more
Restrictive Diets: The Hidden Costs on your Gut, Mind, and Immune System

Restrictive Diets: The Hidden Costs on your Gut, Mind, and Immune System

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co ‘Restrictive diet’ is an umbrella term that encompasses changes to how, when and what one eats. To some, avoiding junk food is considered restrictive; to others, a restrictive diet may be as extreme as consuming food from only one food group or strictly avoiding others. Regardless, the ultimate question is, when do restrictive diets help and when do they harm?

Read more
Vitamin Sea: 5 Mind, Body, and Beauty Benefits of Ocean Water

Vitamin Sea: 5 Mind, Body, and Beauty Benefits of Ocean Water

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @emma.walsh Author Isak Dinesen famously said, "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." We all know that staying active and releasing emotions is vital for our health—and as someone who grew up on the coast going to the beach year round, I also believe...

Read more
Intermittent Fasting: Is It Right for You?

Intermittent Fasting: Is It Right for You?

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By @coreflexpilates founder Chris Bardawil Over the past few years intermittent fasting has become the golden child of the wellness community all due to the miraculous effects it can have on your health.   Intermittent fasting is avoiding eating or drinking...

Read more
Skinimalism: A New Trend in Dermatology?

Skinimalism: A New Trend in Dermatology?

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

A Note from a Dermatologist: @dermahealthnutrition The world of aesthetic dermatology is experiencing a refreshing shift towards a trend known as "skinimalism" (Skin + Minimalism). This movement is a response to the overwhelming abundance of skincare products and complex routines that have dominated the beauty industry in recent years. At its core, skinimalism advocates a minimalist approach...

Read more
Burnt out? Here Are the Signs and Road to Recovery

Burnt out? Here Are the Signs and Road to Recovery

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @ericabassotherapy  Many of us are busier than ever before. We juggle demanding careers, personal responsibilities, and social obligations to name a few, and if you’re a high-achiever this list may never seem to end. Burnout is a growing concern today due...

Read more
How Alcohol Effects Your Gut

How Alcohol Effects Your Gut

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: Megan Tomlin @gooodmoodfoood By now, almost everyone knows that alcohol is not the healthiest thing for our minds and bodies. But what do we know about the effect that alcohol has on our gut microbiome health? Before I answer this, there are a few terms I want to define for...

Read more
The Unseen Mental Health Challenges High Achievers Face

The Unseen Mental Health Challenges High Achievers Face

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

 By: @ericabassotherapy It's hopeful to see how much society has progressed in embracing mental health discussions. But as a mental health provider, I still notice gaps in our understanding of accurate mental health information. We can all get better at recognizing signs of mental health struggles and feeling empowered to seek support when needed. As a licensed...

Read more
The Importance of Skin pH for a Clear, Healthy Complexion

The Importance of Skin pH for a Clear, Healthy Complexion

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co The concept of the skin barrier has become a part of many skincare aficionado’s vocabulary, but what does it really mean?  It is important to remember...

Read more