1st Post/ Topic placement Re: Valdity of 'Cold Shower' claims

[verse10]

First question: Where would this topic go?

Second question: May I come here to these forums presenting new wave / ancient / traditional claims I find on the internet? I understand the majority is unproven and possible nonsense, but I'd like to understand 'why' if anyone is bored enough to explain or direct me to where I might learn more on the subject.

 

Topic Question: Is there any validity to these 'Cold Shower' 'Ishnaan' claims? (yes or no, feel free to elaborate for my ignorance):

 

"Cold showers have the following positive effects:

* Brings blood to the capillaries, therefore increasing circulation throughout the body.

* Cleans the circulatory system.

* Reduces blood pressure on internal organs.

* Provides flushing for the organs and provides a new supply of blood.

* Strengthens the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.

* Contracts the muscles to eliminate toxins and poisonous wastes.

* Strengthens the mucous membranes, which help resist hay fever, allergies, colds, coughs."

Taken from EarthClinic.com

 

In the description:

"But first, before you get wet, massage your body all over with a little oil. Oil is more easily absorbed by the skin when it is mixed with water--and you won't be greasy afterwards."

The Flow of Eternal Power by Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa

Oil is absorbed when mixed with water...?

 

I do like how the man in the video emphasizes courage, and at the end:

"How will that benefit a person?"

"Do it and find out"

 

I'm unschooled in all science but very curious, if there are books for interest reading anyone could recommend that would be nice, maybe an introduction to the circulatory system.

 

Thanks

[lemur]

Imo, the main benefit of cold showers or swimming in cold water is primarily to train your nervous system to respond to cold shocks and cold generally. Obviously your musculature has to tense-up to generate heat to maintain body temperature. Presumably, like anything else your body does, practice improves functioning. So if your body is more skilled at dealing with cold shocks and cold generally, it will be less sensitive and vulnerable to them. This, in turn, should make you less prone to cold-related stress when you are confronted with cold for whatever reason. This is my opinion although I believe it should be self-evidently true. I'm curious if there is another view that would contradict this.

[Greippi]

Other than the increased blood flow to capillaries, the other claims seem rather spurious to me.

 

 

Water therapy had some popularity in Victorian England, and recent scientific studies have in fact shown the number of lymphocytes in circulation is increased after a cold water treatment, thus helping fight infection.

 

After a brief search, I have found the following papers on that:

 

"Effects of short-term hypothermal and contrast exposure on immunophysiological parameters of laboratory animals." PubMed ID: 19907753

Short term exposure to cold water increased bone marrow lymphocyte count. Contrast bathing (hot and cold alternating)stimulated cell-mediated immunity (but repressed innate immunity - which could be a good thing if an overwhelming innate response such as prolonged fever was exhausting the patient).

 

 

"Immune changes in humans during cold exposure: effects of prior heating and exercise" IDS Number: 223WQ

Found similar stimulation of the immune system after cold treatment.

Edited September 10, 2010 by Greippi