I have heard of this stuff for a while now, but never investigated. From a health point of view its supposed to work something like this: (got this from the RMAX forum) A very brief, intense percussive cold water douse causes a protective 'reflexive' effect as the body tries to protect itself from the threat of the cold. This leads to vasodilation and a 'heating' effect (as you mentioned). The body performs its best 'chemotaxis' (white blood cells, etc, ability to seek out and eliminate pathogens) when the body has a core temperature of about 102-103 F. I kind of tried it out by accident, and noticed a beneficial effect. Basically I was just getting over a flu, still had some lingering effects, and the hot water ran out while I was in the shower, so I had to finish my shower with cold water. Within a short while of getting out of the shower all ill flu effects disappeared and have not been back since. So, I’m guessing it is effective in some sense. Also, I think it is probably good for MA training because it conditions you to shock, which is probably a good thing. So, has anyone got any experience with this, what are your thoughts on it, has it improved your health?
At first I thought the thread title was about using a forked stick to find cold water But seriously, I have done it many times and love it. Besides for the health benefits and instant stress elimination, I find it's an excellent way to build discipline and help cope with fear. It's better to do outdoors with a bucket of water rather than a shower.
I think my neighbours would think I'm a bit of a nutcase if I did that, oh wait, they already think that, problem solved.
I'm a fan of the alternating cold/hot shower for recovery after training. Never tried the immunoboosting cold wash, but I hear good things.
My Systema instructor swears by it!! Mind you he also swears that Vodka is the cure for a lot of things too
Apart from Blod flow and the immuno response i think this may condition the brain into resting, and the brain will get use to the fact that after the contrast shower after a workout you do little exercise. I dont have any proof of this but i imagine adrenaline and insulin secretation would decrease.
From my understanding the actual process is quite complex, you get a bucket of cold water and pour it over yourself.. is that right? and after you dry yourself off and that’s it? I have also been entertaining the idea of surprise water dowsing.. i.e. someone walks under your window.. and wham... surprise water dowse the person.. though I have a feeling the cops may be paying me a surprise visit, maybe I can just water dowse them as well. In court, my defense will be "its good for your health", I'll be saying that right before I soak the judge.. and they'll be saying the same to me right before they sit me down in the electric chair.. :cry:
I tried this stuff out last night and noticed aftrewards that I felt relaxed and warmer than normal. Was gonna do it again in the morning, but the idea of a bucket of cold water did not seem very appealing at 7 am.. Are the effects I expirienced normal? Should I expect anything else.
I always have a freezing cold shower now after working out. If I've been really cold and it's winter or something then I will warm up a bit first, then have it freezing for a while, concentrating on areas that might become particularly sore. Works wonders.
The things Vlad has taught me on the subject are as follows. Douse twice a day. Once before and once after midday. This way you get both parts of the bodies cycle. If you want to shave or shower with warm water do it before not after the douse. Douse outdoors where possible with bare feet on the floor. The colder the water the better. Poor the water slowly. A bucket is better than a shower. A lake is better than a bucket. A river is better still and the see is best of all. There is more than a physical reaction to this practice. It is difficult to do and this strengthens the psyci. I have done this on and off for several years. When I do it twice daily I feel great and do not get minor ailments. Also if suffering from hayfever this removes the symptoms including ashma. Also my wife tells me that when I am dousing I am warmer to the touch. Great when it is the winter, but too much for her in the summer. It is an odd thing to do by most peoples standards, but many cultures use cold bathing for health. I would recommend like most things in Systema and other martial arts it is best tried for a period of time. That way you can decide if it is for you. Enjoy. Paul Genge Russian Martial Arts Northwest
how long would you recommend The cold water for ,if it is being performed in the shower ? 10 seconds From the time it goes as cold as possible?
10 seconds?!? Pussy! Some athletes sit in them for 10-15 minutes at a time. I either go for 30 second intervals of freezing water and a bit warmer for 30, or just a plain old cold ass shower for as long as it takes to wash. It kinda helps if it's straight after workout and you need cooling off!
2 years ago (ish) the boiler went in my flat. No hot water or heating for a week and it was snowing for a bit of that I was forced to have cold water showers. I could handle washing my hair in it, just, but standing under it caused me to tense up and breathe very strangely....well it was as if I couldn't breathe at all. The water was icy cold and I did not enjoy it, I lasted 30 seconds. However, once I was out and dry, even with no heating in the flat, I was absolutely burning from the inside out - it felt really, really good. I might try this if I'm ill in the future. Incidentally, the way I eventually got around the no hot water problem was to boil the kettle and soak my towel in that water. Using the towel, you can very quickly wash yourself down. You should have water remaining, so you can do it again. The first time with soap/shower gel, the second just with water. It's not great but it does the job.
I talked to a doctor who was a sports specialist a few years ago about this. People were going running and then diving into cold swimming pools in mid winter. His view was that it can be a risk if you have a heart problem. The way he explained this is - the heart is pumping away hard after exercise and pumping blood to the surface of the skin through expanded capiliaries to lose heat. The cold water immediately causes these capilliaries to contract and restrict the blood flow dramatically. The effect is like that of a pump that is pushing liquid through a pipe that is then blocked. The pump/heart then works frantically to push harder and can fail or experience other problems if has some defect. In other words it could bring on heart attacks or other trouble. Have you checked with a medical practitioner.
Day two of dowsing. It took me about five minutes to pour the water on myself last night. It's was quite ridiculous, I wanted to do it, but I just kept hesitating and having a dialogue with myself.. going something like this.. -your such a pussy! -but its cold! -don’t be such a pussy! -what sort of screwed up idea is this.. -do it! Anyway, then I finally did it.. its strange, it makes me feel quite relaxed and warm, and I kept bursting out in sporadic laughter for a while afterwards, no particular reason for the laughing, but I seemed to be in a amused state. This time, as opposed to the first time I managed to stay more relaxed and breath in a more continuous fashion. Will see what happens next.
I've done the cold/hot shower thing for quite a while. I really don't know if it helps me physically but it sure wakes me up in the morning.
