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Cold baths, the Wim Hof Method for Circulation & Neuropathy

Posted by elena_l @elenal, May 17 2:18pm

Anyone tried cold exposure or the Wim Hof Method (ice baths) for pain relief from neuropathy and poor circulation? I have idiopathic small fiber neuropathy and poor blood circulation (cold hands and feet). Was inspired by some online resources and Wim Hof's videos to start cold foot baths to "boost my circulation." Prior to this I would occasionally quickly dip my burning feet into cold water and had immediate relief from that. So I decided to go with colder, longer exposure (10-15 min), and possibly build up for Wim's ice baths. Unfortunately, it turned out that longer cold exposure severely aggravated my neuropathy. Basically, instead of bouncing back with improved circulation, my feet stayed freezing cold all day afterwards and when I covered them up with 2 blankets, I started having painful prickly sensations similar to frostbite warming up. This got me wondering if one already has to have decent blood circulation and perhaps no neuropathy to benefit from cold/ice baths. Would love to hear about others' experiences. Please mention if you have normal or poor blood circulation. Thank you!

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mitfit | @mitfit | May 18 8:09am

I have had PN for 40 years. My feet swell up when I take a warm bath or shower so now I just take tepid showers and then soak my feet in cold water for 15 minutes. They turn red, white and blue! If often allows me to fall asleep before they swell up again. I have learned to live around the PN over the years.

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dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | May 18 10:31am

While cold water or ice baths might work for some, I believe it is a basic fact that cold slows circulation and warmth enhances it. Think stories you've read about drowning victims in winter surviving because the cold slowed their bodily functions. Think cancer patient stories of avoiding hair loss or neuropathy by using cold caps or mitts to reduce the amount of chemo drugs to the scalp, hands or feet. You'll find stories of the latter here on Connect.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 18 10:48am

Hi @elenal, There is another similar discussion that you might want to read through to learn more about the topic. I'm not sure it's exactly the same but sounds like it.

--- Ice water immersion for neuralgia: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ice-water-immersion-for-neuralgia/

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erikaramey | @erikaramey | May 19 2:07pm
In reply to @dlmdinia "While cold water or ice baths might work for some, I believe it is a basic..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

While cold water or ice baths might work for some, I believe it is a basic fact that cold slows circulation and warmth enhances it. Think stories you've read about drowning victims in winter surviving because the cold slowed their bodily functions. Think cancer patient stories of avoiding hair loss or neuropathy by using cold caps or mitts to reduce the amount of chemo drugs to the scalp, hands or feet. You'll find stories of the latter here on Connect.

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Being German I know that it is beneficial to jump into cold water after a sauna.

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mrterry | @mrterry | Jul 16 10:21pm

That's what I do for my feet. Cold water bath as cold as I can stand it. It doesn't take long and I dip my feet in and out several times. I get relief for hours.

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mrterry | @mrterry | Jul 16 10:22pm

That's what I do for my feet. Cold water bath as cold as I can stand it. It doesn't take long and I dip my feet in and out several times. I get relief for hours. Normal blood circulation.

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